According to the Export-Import Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), in August 2025, the export value of Vietnamese leaves reached 1.174 million USD. Among them, lime leaves, which were once considered “worthless,” contributed up to 70,000 USD.
In 8 months of 2025, Vietnam’s exports of leaves reached 8.678 million USD, an increase of 26.9% compared to the same period in 2024. Lime leaves alone brought in 732,000 USD, a strong increase of 84.3%. This was the highest growth rate among the “spice leaves” group.
Not only did the volume increase, but lime leaves also surprised with their export value. According to the e-commerce site Amazon, dried lime leaves are sold for about 7 USD for 25 grams, which is equivalent to 635,000 VND/100 grams. It means that 1 kg can cost over 6.3 million VND. This type of leaf is favored by many foreign consumers, especially in the US, Japanese, and European markets.
Lime leaves bring in millions of dollars in value.
Many farmers in Hai Phong, Hung Yen, and Hai Duong provinces have shifted from growing limes for fruit to for leaves. As a result, their incomes are many times higher than before. For example, in Thanh Ha commune (Hai Phong), many households have stable incomes thanks to the lime leaf farming model.
Ms. Mac Thi Quyen has a garden of lime trees, selling the leaves to small traders for consumption in Hanoi, Hai Phong, and neighboring provinces. According to Ms. Quyen, lime leaves are purchased at an average price of 30,000–40,000 VND/kg, even up to 70,000 VND/kg. Her lime garden brings in about 200-240 million VND a year.
Vietnamese lime leaves are not only a familiar ingredient in meals, such as boiled chicken, grilled fish, porridge, or soup, but are also imported by countries like Japan, South Korea, the United States, and Europe for high-end culinary preparations.
Fresh and dried lime leaves are essential in Thai curries, steamed chicken, and premium instant noodle seasonings. Renowned brands like McCormick and Blue Elephant also import dried lime leaves or essential oil to produce Asian-style mixed spices.
Not just a spice, lime leaves are also considered a “green herb.” According to studies, lime leaf essential oil contains citronellal, limonene, and linalool, which are compounds with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, cough-reducing, and mild sedative properties.
In the cosmetics industry, Vietnamese lime leaf essential oil has a fresh, pleasant scent and is used in perfumes, soaps, herbal shampoos, body washes, and lotions. From a common leaf used only for seasoning in rural meals, Vietnamese lime leaves are now proving significant economic and commercial value.
The over 80% growth in export turnover in 2025 shows the potential of non-traditional agricultural products when properly directed and processed to meet international demand. If invested in the supply chain, preservation, export standards, and organic certification, lime leaves could completely become a “new representative” of Vietnamese spices in the world market, contributing to sustainable income for farmers.