Kampot pepper yields to increase

Yields of Kampot pepper are expected to increase in the upcoming harvest season despite the forecasts of heaving drought, Kampot Pepper Promotion Association (KPPA) said. Association president Ngoun Lay said the next harvesting season will reach 90 tonnes from 69 tonnes last year as farmers are more experienced with drought conditions and have a better understanding of water management. Kampot pepper’s Geographical Indication (GI) area stood at 250 ha in Kampot and Kep provinces in October 2018, according to KPPA. Kampot pepper’s major markets are the EU, the US, Japan and Canada; however, KPPA is looking to many new destinations to expand the market further, such as South Korea, Hong Kong, and China. The KPPA has 457 member farmers and the organization has partnered with 35 private companies to export its product to international markets. The price of Kampot pepper remains at $15 per kg for black pepper, $25 for red pepper and $28 for white pepper. (Source: Phnom Penh Post)