Pepper export turnover surge 27.6% in nine months

Vietnam’s pepper export earnings exceeded 1.26 billion USD in the first nine months of 2025, surging by 27.6% year-on-year, signaling a clear recovery in the international market, the Vietnam Pepper and Spices Association (VPSA) has reported.

In September alone, the country exported 20,487 tonnes of pepper, earning 136.3 million USD, representing a strong increase of 19.5% in volume and 23.2% in value compared to the same period last year.

Export prices continued to rise in the last month, with black pepper averaging 6,490 USD per tonne, up 2.4% from the previous month, while white pepper reached 8,679 USD per tonne, up 1.4%. Vietnamese pepper remained stable at 6,600–6,800 USD per tonne, maintaining a competitive edge over other countries.

In the last three quarters, the US remained the largest buyer of the Vietnamese spice, accounting for 21.4% of the country’s total pepper export volume with 39,979 tonnes. However, shipments to this market fell 30.4% compared to the same period last year.

By contrast, exports to China rose sharply by 73.3% year-on-year to 15,353 tonnes, while sales to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) expanded by 12.8%.

The export to India and several European markets also recorded steady growth, indicating a shifting export structure with Asia playing an increasingly important role.

On the import side, Vietnam spent 225.7 million USD on purchasing 36.112 tonnes of pepper in the reviewed period, 121.1% and 51.9%, respectively. Brazil remained the largest supplier with more than 17,835 tonnes, followed by Cambodia and Indonesia.

In addition to pepper, cinnamon remains a bright spot in Vietnam’s spice exports. During January - September, the country shipped 90,478 tonnes of cinnamon, worth 228.3 million USD, representing increases of 30,5% in volume and 17,5% in value compared to the same period last year.

India was the largest importer of Vietnamese cinnamon, accounting for 39% of total exports at 35,329 tonnes, up 51%. The US takes 11% with nearly 10,000 tonnes, and Bangladesh 7.3% with 6,615 tonnes. Stable growth in these key markets highlights the strong competitiveness of this spice, especially amid rising global demand for natural spices./