Vietnam has been the world’s leading producer and exporter of pepper for many years. However, recently, the country has been importing a relatively large amount of this product from abroad.
According to data from the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA), in April 2025, Vietnam imported 5,688 tons of pepper, including 5,209 tons of black pepper and 479 tons of white pepper, with a total import value of 36.7 million USD.
Compared to last month, the import volume and value have increased by 15.1% and 27.2%, respectively. Notably, the import volume this month is close to the highest import record ever in May 2021, which was 5,747 tons.
Regarding the supply, Brazil continues to be the main supplier of pepper to Vietnam, accounting for 66.7% of total imports with 3,792 tons, an increase of 23.9% compared to last month. Next is Cambodia with 1,171 tons, an increase of 127.8%.
Pepper imports have increased sharply, nearing the record level of 2021.
In the first 4 months of 2025, Vietnam imported 15,374 tons of pepper, including 11,750 tons of black pepper and 3,624 tons of white pepper, with a total import value of 88.3 million USD. Compared to the same period in 2024, the import volume increased by 25.3%, while the import value increased sharply by 104.8%.
Vietnam mainly imported pepper from Brazil (8,155 tons, an increase of 33.1%), Indonesia (4,288 tons, an increase of 207.8%), and Cambodia (1,906 tons, a decrease of 49.3%).
Some said that this is unusual because Vietnam is currently the world’s No. 1 pepper exporter, accounting for 50% of the global production. But every year, Vietnam has to import a large volume from Southeast Asian countries and Brazil.
However, this is a completely normal practice in the production and business activities of enterprises in a market economy. Vietnamese enterprises mainly import pepper for processing and export. This is also the reason why Vietnam’s pepper export industry maintains its “throne.”
Previously, the VPSA reported that the pepper harvest in Vietnam is expected to last until the end of April 2025. In previous years, pepper prices usually dropped during the harvest season due to abundant supply. However, the domestic price of pepper has remained around 150,000 VND/kg since the beginning of the year. Farmers are hesitant to sell pepper out.
The news of the US imposing countervailing duties caused pepper prices to drop sharply in early April, but shortly after, the prices recovered, making farmers assured.