Pepper Still Calls the Shots

Market trends early this year show that the United States is increasing pepper purchases but reducing imports from Vietnam - its largest supplier in recent years. According to the US International Trade Commission (USITC), in March, US pepper imports reached 6,741 tons, increasing over 13% from the previous month and nearly 17% compared to the same period last year. In the first quarter of this year, US pepper imports totaled 21,586 tons, valued at nearly $159 million, representing an 8.7% increase in volume and a 67% increase in value compared to the same period in 2024. Vietnam continues to be the largest pepper supplier to the US market, but imported pepper volumes from Vietnam have decreased. Specifically, Vietnam's pepper imports to the US in the first quarter were 13,000 tons, a 13.6% decline in volume compared to the same period in 2024. Meanwhile, the US increased pepper imports from Indonesia (4,522 tons, a 242% increase), India (2,181 tons, an 18.5% increase)... ...