This first Forum Vietnam Pepper is a join initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the National Trade Promotion programme of the Ministry of Trade and Industry to further promote the pepper industry. Organized by the MARD and Vietnam Pepper Association, the forum attracted around 150 national and international participants.
The panelists at one of the Session during the Forum Vietnam Pepper Outlook (Photo VPA)
Among the issues discussed were; current development on the Vietnam pepper and capabilities, quality issues, market potential need of sustaining the pepper industry to meet the requirements set by the major importing countries, market promotion etc.
There are number of speakers from the government agencies and trade sectors who presented their papers at the forum including Mr. Le Vin Duc of the Department of Plant Production of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development (MARD), Simexco Daklak Ltd, Mrs. Cheryl Deem of American Spice Trade Association, Mr. Neil Meyers of European Spice Association . The Executive Director of IPC also made a paper presentation at the forum.
Mr. Le Vin Duc of he Department of Plant Production of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development in his paper gave an overview on the current production and exports of pepper in Vietnam. He also mentioned about constrain faced by the Vietnam pepper and suggested some solutions to sustain the Vietnam pepper industry.
Mrs. Cheryl Deem of ASTA gave a detailed update on the US pepper imports and informed about the technical barriers on the pesticides FSMA compliance covering issues on pesticide residues, allergens, aflatoxins, traceability and adulterants. She has also made a proposed action to be implemented in response to above issues.
Mr. Nils Meyer Pries of European Spice Association talked on Orientation and actions of ESA to support for Pepper Sustainable Development in Vietnam and informed about the EU legislation for Herbs and Spices which is now harmonized. The aim of the harmonized legislation is to ensure the production of safe, healthy food and protect the consumers. He highlighted the EU food legislation on issues with most important risks covering pesticide residues, contaminants and allergens. Mr. Meyer further informed the ESA initiative and courteus relationship with the Vietnamese stakeholders for future cooperation and stressed the need to improve the pepper quality in line with the growing demand from the consumers in EU for safe and healthy pepper products.
View of the Session during the Forum Vietnam Pepper Outlook (Photo VPA)
Mr. Binh, Vice Chairman of Chu See Pepper Association of Gia Lai Province, Vietnam during QA Session
Along with the Forum the organizer has also organized mini Exhibition for the processors and exporting companies in Vietnam to exhibit their pepper and other agriculture products. A visit to pepper growing areas in Phu Quoc Island was also arranged by the organizer to provide the opportunity for all the participants to understand better the Vietnam pepper development.
Participants visited the Mini Exhibition during the Forum (Photo VPA)
The IPC congratulates the MARD, VPA and others in Vietnam for successfully organizing the 1st Forum Vietnam Pepper Outlook for the betterment of the pepper industry.
