Statistics from the Vietnam Pepper Association (VPSA) show that in May 2025, Vietnam exported 190 tons of chili with a turnover of nearly one million USD. This is an increase of 25.8% compared to April 2025. In May, Laos remained the largest export market with 85 tons, accounting for 45% of Vietnam’s total export volume.
In the first five months of the year, Vietnam exported 1,190 tons of chili with a total value of over 4.5 million USD. However, this result represents a decrease of 82% in volume and 72% in value. Laos is the largest export market with 578 tons, accounting for 49%.
Chili is one of the most common spices in the world. Moreover, it can also be used for decoration and has many health benefits. For Laos, the spicy flavor is an indispensable part of the cuisine. A representative from a chili export business said that Laotian people are skilled at eating spicy food, and dried chili is the main seasoning in their dishes.
According to some experts, Vietnamese chilies are highly spicy and come in various types, so they are favored by markets such as China and Laos.
Currently, the export of chili to Laos accounts for nearly 50% of Vietnam’s production.
In the world, Asia is the largest chili-producing region, accounting for 80% of global production. The main chili-producing countries include India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Nigeria, and Mexico. Among them, India is the largest producer and exporter of chili in the world, followed by Vietnam, China, and Indonesia.
In the context of the Vietnamese agricultural sector gradually expanding its market share to the international market, chili is a small but economically valuable item. It is gradually showing its potential to become a key export item in the spice group. Vietnam is currently among the top 10 chili-exporting countries in the world, with products being sent to over 20 markets, notably South Korea, Thailand, China, Malaysia, and several European countries.
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in 2024, the export value of fresh and processed chili reached about 280 million USD, an increase of nearly 15% compared to 2023. With an area of around 50,000 hectares, Vietnam’s chili production averages over 600,000 tons per year. In addition to the large specialized cultivation areas in Binh Dinh, Quang Ngai, Tay Ninh, and Dak Lak, many localities in the Mekong Delta are transitioning to organic and VietGAP chili cultivation to meet increasingly strict export standards.
Global demand for chili is increasing due to the trend of consuming spicy foods and local spices. Especially Asian restaurant chains in the US, EU, and South Korea have a stable demand for Vietnamese chili due to its suitable spiciness, nice color, and competitive price.
However, the major barrier currently remains the issue of phytosanitary inspections and pesticide residue standards. In 2023, many shipments of chili exported to China and the EU were warned for exceeding the limits of pesticide residues. Therefore, the industry needs to invest more in clean production processes, controlling quality from the cultivation area to processing and packaging.
With significant market potential still available, if quality limitations are effectively addressed and a clear agricultural product brand is established, chili could become a “new factor” in the strategy to enhance the value of Vietnamese agricultural exports in the coming years.