Pepper prices are increasing, leading to potential profit for farmers and uncertainty for speculators. However, Vietnamese pepper exporting businesses face the risk of contract break as the majority of the pepper is being held by speculators and agents rather than reaching the exporters. In 2020, US imports of pepper from Vietnam increased by 2.5% in volume but decreased by 3.2% in value compared to 2019. The world market sees a sharp increase in the spot price and futures prices for pepper in India.