Vietnam’s output should hold steady at 130,000 tons to 135,000 tons next year, said Nam of the Vietnam Pepper Association. Prices will also be similar, at $7,000 to $8,000 a ton, he said. That should be enough for Thanh, the Dak Lak farmer who’s planning to expand.
“I could buy a car if I liked,” he said. “But I want to buy more land to expand production first.”