Vietnam, the world's biggest pepper exporter, is estimated to see a decline of 10 percent in its pepper output in 2007, a local industry official told Xinhua Wednesday.

"This year, pests and diseases have attacked many pepper- growing areas, killing a number of pepper plants. Therefore, our pepper output will decrease this year and next year," an official from the Vietnam Pepper Association said on the condition of anonymity.

Vietnam's pepper output in 2006 is estimated at over 120,000 tons, down from 135,000 tons in 2005 and 140,000 tons in 2004, the official said, adding that next year's output will drop 10 percent over this year.

The country is estimated to export 117,000 tons of pepper totaling 466 million U.S. dollars in the first 11 months of this year, down 2.1 percent and 17.2 percent, respectively, the official said, predicting that export prices of Vietnamese pepper are likely to stand at 2,500-3,000 dollars per ton next year.

Vietnam, 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.

Vietnam exported 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.

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

Source: Xinhua