Vietnam, a key player in the global black pepper market and the world's largest exporter, saw export earnings of 42.3 million USD in the first half of September 2024, having shipped 6,917 tons of pepper. Despite the Federal Reserve's interest rate cut, domestic pepper prices remained unaffected, though a weaker USD led to price increases in other countries. Production challenges, including hot weather and El Nino-induced drought in Brazil, are expected to reduce the global pepper output by 20-25% in 2024 compared to the previous year, as highlighted by the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA).