International conference on Vietnam’s pepper and spice industry: Connecting export businesses

On March 8, in Hanoi, the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Industry International Conference (VIPO 2024) took place to promote support for connecting export businesses.

The Vietnam Pepper and Spice Industry International Conference (VIPO 2024) is an important trade promotion activity for the industry, within the framework of the National Trade Promotion Program organized by the Pepper and Spice Association. Vietnam presides and coordinates with relevant ministries, branches and agencies to organize with the goal of creating a discussion forum, sharing export market information, identifying opportunities and challenges, and assessing the capacity production, processing and trade of the pepper industry to meet the requirements of export markets, promoting concerns for the sustainable development of the world pepper and spice industry.

Ms. Hoang Thi Lien, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association, shared that this is the 4th time the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association has organized the Vietnam Pepper and Spice International Conference, aiming to Promote the export of Vietnamese spices, increase market connections, domestic export businesses with foreign buyers, especially in potential markets such as Europe, the United States, and the Middle East region , Asian countries are China, India.

“In addition to connecting and expanding markets for businesses, we want to introduce businesses, the pepper community in particular and Vietnamese spices in general to understand the market requirements and orientation of the industry. market, from there there is a plan to organize production, then shape the export market in the future”- Ms. Hoang Thi Lien said.

Speaking at the conference, Director of the Plant Protection Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development – Mr. Huynh Tan Dat said that Vietnam is considered a country with high biodiversity with many types of crops. valuable, in which pepper and spices have contributed significantly to national GDP, improving farmer livelihoods and positioning the Vietnamese brand in the world market.

Specifically, Vietnam has ranked first in the world in pepper production and export for more than 20 years. Vietnam’s cinnamon export also ranks first in the world from 2022 and ranks third in the world in anise export. Vietnam’s pepper and spices are exported to more than 125 countries, ranking third in global spice exports and dominating many important markets.

Mr. Huynh Tan Dat – Director of the Plant Protection Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Photo: Hoang Lan

However, according to Mr. Huynh Tan Dat, Vietnamese agriculture has not yet developed its full potential. Small and fragmented development has limited the ability to access and apply technology and science and technology to production. At the same time, investment costs are quite large for businesses to consider, while the majority of Vietnamese businesses are small and medium enterprises. Therefore, how to attract more businesses to boldly invest in high-tech agriculture like many large businesses have done recently is always a big challenge.

“In Vietnam’s Agricultural Vision to 2050, the Vietnamese Government has placed agriculture as the focus for sustainable economic development, readiness to respond to climate change, and building prosperous, clean and beautiful rural areas. is a strategic priority. Science, technology and investment will be two factors that help realize Vietnam’s goal of sustainable agricultural and rural development”- Mr. Huynh Tan Dat emphasized.

The conference attracted the participation of many domestic and foreign business representatives. Photo: Hoa Quynh

Further evaluating the organization of the VIPO 2024 Conference, Mr. Huynh Tan Dat said that the event is not only a bridge between Vietnamese and international businesses, sharing market information, updating new national regulations imports, through which VIPO 2024 also aims to call on all actors in the pepper and spice industry including importers and exporters, traders, farmers, government agencies, financial companies, etc. government, non-governmental organizations… enhance cooperation and development; Building a healthy and sustainable supply chain, thereby supporting the Government’s activities in creating and realizing the goal of developing Vietnam’s spice industry sustainably and comprehensively in the coming time.

Mr. Le Hoang Tai – Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade. Photo: Hoang Lan

Among spices, Vietnamese pepper is very famous in the world market and accounts for a high proportion of export turnover. Vietnam is currently the largest pepper producer in the world with 40% of output and 60% of market share, with many diverse products such as black pepper, green pepper, white pepper, pepper powder,… exported to more than 110 countries. and territories.

Mr. Le Hoang Tai – Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade assessed that, despite maintaining its position as the world’s largest pepper exporter and possessing certain advantages, in the context of In the current world market situation, the spice industry in general and Vietnamese pepper in particular are also facing many difficulties and challenges from unpredictable market fluctuations as well as unfavorable impacts. benefits of the world situation; Political instability and trade war lead to consequences such as supply chain disruption, increased inflation, decreased purchasing power…

Business delegates are eager to attend the conference. Photo: Hoa Quynh

Besides, according to Mr. Le Hoang Tai, the world’s leading pepper importing and consuming markets such as the United States, EU, Middle East… are increasingly requiring sustainability for products including social, environmental and economic aspects throughout the supply chain. This is clearly a challenge but should also be seen as an opportunity for countries that produce and export Vietnamese pepper and spices to change and develop.

Mr. Le Hoang Tai further informed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has been actively coordinating closely with ministries, branches and localities across the country to deploy many trade promotion activities to support the pepper and spice industry in promoting production. Strengthen market development, building and promoting product brands through supporting businesses to participate in major fairs and exhibitions both domestically and internationally.

Cinnamon products displayed at the conference. Photo: Hoa Quynh

“In 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will continue to accompany the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association to organize key trade promotion activities to support businesses in developing markets at home and abroad. Especially in coordination with the Swiss Import Promotion Program – Sippo to develop a sustainable market development strategy and communication strategy, brand development for the pepper and spice industry until 2030.”– Mr. Tai said.