Viet Nam pepper has been sold to most South Asian countries except for Afghanistan, Bhutan and the Maldives.— Photo vietbao

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — India is the largest market for Vietnamese pepper in South Asia, accounting for about 59 per cent of the total value of Viet Nam's pepper exports to the region, according to the Viet Nam Pepper Association (VPA).

Other major customers in South Asia are Pakistan and Bangladesh, which together with India generate 97.4 percent of Viet Nam's regional pepper export earnings.

Viet Nam pepper has been sold to most South Asian countries except for Afghanistan, Bhutan and the Maldives. In the first seven months of this year, pepper exports to the region increased sharply in value compared to the same period last year, rising 109 per cent in India, 211 per cent in Pakistan, 410 per cent in Bangladesh and 748 per cent in Nepal.

In 2014, Viet Nam expects to earn more than $160 million from pepper exports to South Asian markets. The world's largest pepper producer, Viet Nam ships the spice to more than 90 countries and territories.— VNS