According to statistics from the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA), in November 2025, Vietnam exported 1,078 tons of star anise, worth 5.1 million USD. Compared to October, export volume and value increased by 52.95% and 49.1%, respectively. However, compared to the same period in November 2024, exports decreased by 6%.
By the end of November 2025, Vietnam had exported 12,976 tons of star anise, with a value of 53 million USD. Compared to the first 11 months of 2024, export volume increased by 5.5%, but value decreased by 8%.
In the international market, the wholesale price of dried star anise ranges from 5 to 8 USD/kg. In Vietnam, the selling price is commonly between 140,000 and 350,000 VND/kg.
Regarding the market, there are currently over 70 markets importing Vietnamese star anise. India is the largest destination, importing 9,195 tons, accounting for 71% of total exports. This is an increase of 13.3% compared to the same period last year. The United States ranks second, with 886 tons, accounting for 6.8% of the market share and recording an impressive 79% growth compared to last year.
Star anise is Vietnam’s key spice export item, with a turnover of 53 million USD in the past 11 months.
According to the Plant Resources of South East Asia (PROSEA), star anise is a rare spice, harvested only twice a year. In the world, star anise is very limited in distribution, mainly found in northern Vietnam, with major growing regions such as Lang Son (40,000 ha), Quang Ninh (8,600 ha), and Cao Bang (4,500 ha).
Vietnam is the second-largest producer of star anise in the world, after China, with an output of about 22,000 tons per year. The international market increasingly favors star anise due to its distinctive aroma and high value in cuisine, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. This is one of the high-value items that contributes positively to the export turnover of the spice industry and enhances the brand of Vietnamese agricultural products worldwide.
In Vietnam, star anise can only grow well in areas with a height of 300-700 m above sea level and a mild, cool, and humid climate in the provinces of Lang Son, Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, and Quang Ninh. However, due to the favorable climate and soil characteristics of the region, star anise from Lang Son is considered to be of the highest quality and has a high essential oil content. The annual star anise production here accounts for 87.5% of the country’s total output.
Besides star anise, Vietnam is one of the major exporting countries for many popular spices, such as pepper or cinnamon.