According to the Vietnam Pepper and Spices Association, in 2024, Vietnam exported 250,600 tons of pepper of all kinds. In 2025, global pepper output forecasts to continue to decrease while stable consumption demand is the motivation to create momentum for Vietnam’s pepper exports this year.
Stable pepper output
Due to the impacts of climate change in 2024, partly affects the production of pepper of the farmer. However, some areas of the provinces recorded favorable weather situation.
In Dak Nong, the capital of Vietnam Pepper, the output was recorded equivalent to last year. Made in some areas in the remaining key provinces such as Gia Lai, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai and Ba Ria – Vung Tau also tended to be positive when the price of pepper increased, so farmers boldly invested in caring and restoring existing pepper garden.
Meanwhile, in Dak Lak province, the province has the second largest pepper and output, is considered to be reduced when people switch to durian trees and do not have many new planting phenomena. It is expected that the Lunar New Year must start harvesting pepper and last until the end of April 2025.
Domestic prices in the last 3 months of 2024 did not have much fluctuations and maintained at an average of 140,000 – 150,000 VND/kg. Compared to the beginning of the year, domestic black pepper price increased by 75.6% and white pepper increased by 68.8%, similar to export prices also increased by 30.7% for black pepper and 28.6% for white pepper.
The global pepper production in 2025 is forecast to continue to decrease compared to 2024, marking the fourth consecutive reduction of the four consecutive year since 2022. This reflects the situation of pepper trees is no longer the main crop of many farmers, especially in the context of the economic value of other crops such as durian, coffee and oil palm. In addition, climate change with extremist weather phenomena has reduced productivity and increased the cost of maintaining pepper production.
Vietnam Association of Pepper and Spices said that last year (2024), the total export turnover reached nearly 1.32 billion USD, of which, black pepper reached nearly 1.18 billion USD, white pepper reached 200.6 million USD. Compared to 2023, the export volume decreased by 5.1%, but the export turnover increased to 45.4%. The average export price of black pepper in 2024 reached 5,154 USD/ton, up 49.7% and white pepper reached 6,884 USD/ton, up 38.9% compared to last year.
Quality assurance in parallel with market development
Many experts see and the biggest challenge for our country’s pepper exports is now the residues of plant protection drugs. Besides, there are environmental challenges (reducing carbon emissions), encouraging sustainable farming model, sustainable intercropping model …
Moreover, this key export industry still has many limitations: small production; Lack of connectivity between businesses – farmers, farmers – processors; limiting the role of intermediaries between the private sector – the public block, between the State – enterprises; The research on the market is not effective …
In order to overcome the above -mentioned challenges, create a sustainable environment for export of pepper, besides the efforts of businesses in branding, improve competitiveness, need support from the State. From the support of access to market information, the regulations of the importing country to capital and technology.
Notably, experts also said that the room for development, exploitation and export of pepper is still very large with natural advantages and market advantages (when a series of FTAs go into execution, the group of spice trees has a high comparative advantage).
Therefore, in the long run, according to experts, our country should focus on the linking problem to create raw material areas, replace and gradually eliminate small and fragmented production areas as today. Through this, Vietnamese products will improve the ability to meet the requirements of quality and residues of plant protection drugs in large export markets.
Currently, the United States is the largest market of Vietnam pepper imported in 2024, reaching 72,311 tons, accounting for 28.9% and an increase of 33.2% compared to 2023, this is also the highest record export ever, up 21% compared to the previous year of 2021 reached 59,778 tons.
Next is the markets: UAE reached 16,391 tons, up 35.1% accounted for 6.5%; Germany reached 14,580 tons, up 58.2% accounted for 5.8%; The Netherlands reached 10,745 tons, up 35.2% accounted for 4.3%; India reached 10,617 tons, down 17.1%, accounting for 4.2%.
China’s imports at 6th place reached 10,549 tons, down 82.4% and 4.2% of the market share.
Commenting on the export market, Ms. Hoang Thi Lien, Chairman of Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association – said that in 2024, China reduced pepper imports from Vietnam to 82.4% but increased imports from Indonesia by 76.8%. However, this increase in imports is still not enough to meet the total demand in China.
The world pepper price in 2025 was expected to continue to maintain a high level due to the decline in supply, while the demand in large markets like the United States and Europe remained stable. The need to use pepper in the food industry and spice processing is still the main motivation for the market.
Vietnam and Brazil still maintain the position of the two largest pepper exporters in the world in 2024. However, Indonesia has emerged as a significant supplier, especially when Vietnam and Brazil have lost the season of seasonal year.
In 2025, Brazil’s output is forecast to recover, while Indonesia can reduce production due to investment difficulties and unfavorable weather conditions. India, a large country, also forecasts to reduce production due to the influence of floods, leading to farmers’ limit on investment and liquidation of inventories when domestic prices decrease.
