Prices have increased sharply, green chili is more expensive than chicken

Surveys at retail markets in Ho Chi Minh City showed that chili peppers, chili peppers and bell peppers all cost about 70,000 VND per kg. Particularly, dangerous chili pepper increased to 150,000-170,000 VND, 60% higher than the beginning of the year.

Ms. Hoa, a chili seller at Xom Moi market, An Hoi Dong ward, said that in the first half of the year, chili peppers (Siamese peppers) cost about 90,000 VND per kg and the supply was quite abundant. Now in the rainy season, output has decreased, each day she can only import about 3-5 kg.

According to her, dangerous chili peppers at the wholesale market are currently in short supply. Most of the chili peppers she sells are purchased directly from growers in Long An, but the quantity is limited.

“The price of chili is quite high compared to other spices, especially green chili is more expensive than chicken (chicken is 140,000 VND per kg),” Ms. Hoa said.

Reports at Ho Chi Minh City wholesale markets show that chili peppers and chili peppers have more supplies but are down 10-20% compared to last month. The wholesale price of these two types is currently about 45,000-50,000 VND per kg. Meanwhile, the source of green chili peppers is scarce.

In Vinh Long, traders are buying chili peppers at the field for about 45,000 VND per kg, chili peppers for 47,000 VND, an increase of 40-50% compared to previous years.

Mr. Hoan, a chili growing household in Vinh Long, said the main chili crop usually lasts from March to June. From July, the amount of chili decreases because few households continue to sow seeds when entering the rainy season, making cultivation difficult and plants susceptible to disease.

Production costs also increased this year, in which picking wages are about 6,000 VND per kilogram, care and material costs are 11,000-13,000 VND. According to Mr. Hoan, the production cost is about 20,000 VND per kilogram, from this level growers can start to make a profit.

“This time, the price of chili is up to 45,000 VND per kilogram, with 3 chili peppers, if the price maintains at the current level, I can make a profit of about 150 million VND,” Mr. Hoan said.

According to him, the rain came early, causing the chili yield to be lower than the dry crop. Diseases such as anthracnose, green wilt, and fruit rot also easily arise and spread quickly in humid conditions. Green chili peppers are difficult to grow and have a longer harvest time than chili peppers and horn peppers, while most are grown in intercropping so the supply is even more limited.

On the contrary, chili export output is increasing. Data from the Customs Department shows that in the first 6 months of the year, Vietnam’s chili exports reached 73.4 million USD, an increase of 11.2% over the same period last year. This is also the item with the largest export turnover in the vegetable group.

Chili depends heavily on the Chinese market, accounting for about 75% of exports in 2024. From April 2025, Vietnamese chili will be officially exported to this market, with requirements on quarantine, traceability and control of pesticide residues.

In the context of increased export output, the agricultural sector still recommends that people not spontaneously expand their area without stable output, to avoid oversupply when the market reverses.