Although Vietnam has a large area of cinnamon, abundant reserves, stable annual production, and sustained export growth, Vietnamese cinnamon still faces many challenges.
According to the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPA), in 2024, Vietnam exported 99,874 tons of cinnamon, with a total export value of 274.5 million USD. Compared to 2023, the export volume increased by 11.7%, and the export value increased by 5.2%.
India was the largest export market for Vietnamese cinnamon in 2024, reaching 35,885 tons. This market accounted for 35.9%, and a decrease of 5.7% compared to 2023. The US was the second-largest export market, with 11,078 tons, accounting for 11.1%, up 9.0%. Bangladesh ranked third with 7,928 tons, accounting for 7.9%, an increase of 42.5%.
Cinnamon exports face many challenges.
According to statistics, Vietnam currently has about 180,000 hectares of cinnamon cultivation in the northern mountainous provinces and the North Central. With an estimated cinnamon bark reserve of 900,000 to 1,200,000 tons, the average annual harvest is 70,000 – 80,000 tons.
Although Vietnam has a large area of cinnamon cultivation, abundant reserves, stable annual production, and sustained export growth, Vietnamese cinnamon has not yet truly built a brand in the international market.
Moreover, many domestic enterprises import cinnamon from countries with standardized production processes to meet the strict standards of the EU market, particularly regarding purity and essential oil content. Besides, importing cinnamon helps Vietnamese businesses diversify their supply sources, minimize risks, and ensure production stability. Some businesses import cinnamon for deep processing, creating higher value-added products and increasing their competitive advantage.
Although Vietnam has various cinnamon resources, they lack systematic planning and stable output.
To promote cinnamon exports, businesses need to focus on solving key issues, including enhancing research and conserving rare varieties; developing large, high-quality cinnamon cultivation areas; increasing commercial production; and applying scientific and technological advancements to production.
In addition, training specialized human resources and developing the international market, combined with promoting a brand for Vietnamese cinnamon, play an important role. Finally, investing in logistics services and easy-to-transport packaging is considered an essential solution to optimize the supply chain, facilitating long-term sustainable development.
To enhance the position of Vietnamese cinnamon in the world, close coordination between state management agencies, businesses, and farmers is needed. At the same time, investing in research, development, and the application of modern technology in cinnamon production is extremely necessary. Especially, building a brand for Vietnamese cinnamon not only helps increase export value but also contributes to enhancing the position of Vietnamese agricultural products in the international market.