Vietnamese pepper is available in almost 80 markets over the world, with a majority going to highly-demanding markets such as the European Union, which consumes 43 percent of its exports, and  the US (20 percent). The prices of Vietnam’s pepper are slightly increasing.

The recent achievements were due to the pepper industry's efforts to improve the quality of its export pepper, which accounts for almost 90 percent of its production, said Chairman of the Vietnam Pepper Association Do Ha Nam.

According to Mr Nam, processors have invested in installing modern equipment such as sterilising chains to manufacture clean products while farmers have invested in post-harvest technology, such as family-sized dryers instead of drying beans on the ground.

The Vietnam Pepper Association instructs its members and businesses to thoroughly study the EU and US standards on food hygiene such as rules relating to pesticides and heavy metals.

Vietnam now has over 52,530 ha of pepper, mostly concentrated in the southeastern and Central Highlands regions.