Brazil becomes the world’s second largest exporter of black pepper

Brazil has become increasingly known for its peppers and has been gaining ground as a supplier to the Arab market. Thanks to its diverse range of soils, the country grows, from North to South, different types of product. Peppers of the genus Piper and Capsicum are the main ones produced, but black pepper (Piper Nigrum) is the champion in international sales. Last year, it was responsible for 98% of Brazilian pepper exports, according to the Brazilian government’s foreign trade data system, ComexStat.

Exports of Brazilian peppers to the League of Arab States have grown above average. From 2017 to 2021, black pepper sales in this market increased dramatically, both in tonnes (47.5% on average per year) and in exported value (41.7% per year). The increase in sales to other importers in the world was much smaller. The average annual growth in exports was 11.6% in tons and 2.8% in value.

The second-largest producer

In 2020, Brazil ranked second among the world’s largest black pepper exporters, representing 15% of total product sales. The country was only behind Vietnam, responsible for over 41.5% of global trade.

For the president of the Espírito Santo Pepper and Spice Exporters Association (Acepe), Rolando Martin, the Brazilian black pepper market could grow even more. “We are seeing the market in Vietnam, the largest producer of the Piper pepper genre, reduce its production. This vacuum could be filled by Brazil, the second-largest producer. We are forecasting an increase (in sales) not only for the Arab countries but for the entire world of Brazilian pepper in 2022 and 2023,” he said.

Production increased by 31 tonnes in one year to match demand. In 2021, black pepper cultivation reached 145 thousand tonnes, with exports of about 92 thousand tonnes. Germany, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt are among the countries are among the largest imports of Brazilian products. Last year, the Arab market, driven by the Emirates and Egypt, imported 26,500 tonnes of black pepper.

“From 2012 to 2021, sales to the United Arab Emirates grew 57% and, in the same period, sales to Egypt increased 21%,” said Igor Celeste, the Market Intelligence Manager at ApexBrasil. Other Arab countries, such as Morocco, have also shown greater demand in recent years. “In 2012, Brazil exported US$ 663 thousand to the Arab countries, in 2021 the value has already increased to US$ 39 million”, according to Celeste.

Producing states

Because the soil and climate are suited for producing this type of crop, Espirito Santo is the state that stands out the most as a black pepper exporter in Brazil. According to Rolando Martin, the state was responsible for over 55% of total product exports in 2021.

Pará and Bahia are the next leading black pepper exporting states in Brazil, with 34 percent and 8.8 percent of the market, respectively.

Source: Comex do Brasil 

To read the full original article please see:

https://www.comexdobrasil.com/brasil-conquista-espacos-e-se-torna-o-segundo-maior-exportador-mundial-de-pimenta-do-reino/

Sharing is caring!