Vietnam has long been known as one of the leading countries in the production and export of cinnamon. India continues to be the main market for Vietnamese cinnamon.
According to preliminary statistics from the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA), Vietnam’s cinnamon exports in January 2025 earned 20.1 million USD with 7,329 tons. Compared to December 2024, the export volume decreased by 23.7%, and compared to the same period last year, exports increased by 13.6%.
Vietnamese cinnamon products are consumed in various markets such as the USA, EU, China, and India. Among them, India continues to be the main market. Vietnamese cinnamon products are favored in India due to their high essential oil content and distinctive flavor. Especially with its large population, India has a high demand for cinnamon, star anise, and medicinal herbs. Therefore, this is one of the potential markets for Vietnamese cinnamon.
India is the main export market for Vietnamese cinnamon.
On the contrary, in January 2025, Vietnam imported 239 tons of cinnamon, with a turnover of 0.5 million USD. Compared to December 2024, the import volume decreased by 38.2%. Indonesia is also the largest supplier of cinnamon to Vietnam, accounting for 69%, with 165 tons.
According to statistics, Vietnam has up to 180,000 hectares in the northern mountainous provinces and the North Central region. The estimated reserve of cinnamon bark in Vietnam is about 900,000 – 1,200,000 tons, with an average annual harvest of 70,000 – 80,000 tons.
Yen Bai province is the largest producer of cinnamon in the country. Specifically, the production in the four districts including Van Yen, Van Chan, Van Ban, and Tran Yen can account for 70% of the entire cinnamon area in the province. Here, typical cinnamon-growing areas can be named, such as Dai Son, Vien Son, Xuan Tam, Phong Du, and Chau Que.
In addition to Vietnam, cinnamon is also grown in China, Indonesia (Cassia), Madagascar, and Sri Lanka (Ceylon).
Although Vietnam has a large area of cinnamon cultivation, abundant cinnamon reserves, stable annual production, and sustained export growth, Vietnamese cinnamon has not yet truly established a brand in the international market.
Furthermore, to meet strict standards of the EU, especially regarding purity and essential oil content, many domestic enterprises are forced to import cinnamon from countries with standardized production processes.
In addition, importing cinnamon helps Vietnamese businesses diversify their supply sources, minimize risks, and ensure production stability. Some businesses import cinnamon for deep processing to create higher value-added products and increase their competitive advantage.
To enhance the position of Vietnamese cinnamon in the world, close coordination between state management, businesses, and farmers is necessary. At the same time, investing in research, development, and the application of modern technology in production is extremely important. 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.