Vietnam is estimated to post pepper export revenues of 180 million U.S. dollars in 2006, up more than 18.4 percent over last year, according to the Vietnam Pepper Association on Monday.

Vietnam, the world's biggest pepper exporter, is expected to ship abroad 125,000-130,000 tons of pepper this year with higher prices, partly because of higher quality and the world's smaller pepper output caused by unfavorable weather conditions.

The country, which used to export raw pepper, has in recent years intensified investment in employing advanced production lines to turn out high-grade pepper, capable of meeting strict requirements set by such big markets as the European Union, the United States and Japan, the association said.

Vietnam, which sold overseas 110,000 tons of pepper worth 152 million dollars, to 73 markets, including the European Union, the United States, Russia, China and Singapore, in 2005, exported 102, 000 tons of the product valued at 149 million dollars in the first eight months of 2006, year-on-year surges of 34.2 percent and 43.1 percent, respectively .

Vietnam now houses 52,500 hectares of pepper, with an average output of 2.3 tons per hectare, said the association. Southern Binh Phuoc province alone has nearly 13,500 hectares.

Source: Xinhua