Modern Global Market

Green pepper trade has surged since the early 1960s. In 1961, countries collectively exported roughly 54,900 tons (worth $7.1 million) and imported about 41,500 tons ($7.3 million). By 2023, exports ballooned to 4,050,361 tons (≈ $7.44 billion) a 74 times increase in volume and over a 1,047 times rise in value—while imports climbed to 3,879,896 tons (≈ $7.22 billion), a 94 times volume gain and 996 times value gain. Exports have outpaced imports in both volume and value since the 1970s, underscoring growing production capacity and global competitiveness of pepper growing nations, alongside expanding global demand.

Historical Pepper Trade Routes

Chili peppers have been traded across vast distances since their discovery by explorers in the Americas. Within decades of the first European voyages, peppers were already being transported to Europe, Africa, and Asia, with Portuguese traders particularly instrumental in introducing chilies to their colonial territories, especially India, where the spice was embraced enthusiastically and integrated into local cuisines.

By the 17th century, peppers had become firmly established in culinary traditions across Asia, with regional varieties developing through selective breeding to suit local tastes and growing conditions. This early globalization created the foundation for today's diverse pepper trade landscape, where distinct regional varieties continue to be cultivated and exported based on centuries old trade relationships and cultural preferences.