Statistics from the Customs Department show that in February 2025, Vietnam exported 14,331 tons of pepper, worth 97.3 million USD. Compared to the same period last year, the pepper export only increased by 5.4% in volume, while the value increased strongly by 77.5%.
In the first two months of 2025, businesses exported 27,416 tons of pepper, with a value of 184.9 million USD (about 4.7 trillion VND). Although the volume of pepper export decreased by 11.6%, its value went up sharply by 48.5% compared to the same period last year.
Regarding the export market, the US remains the largest customer of Vietnamese pepper, with a turnover of nearly 45 million USD. Following are Germany and India, with export values reaching 19.2 million USD and 12.4 million USD, respectively. Specifically, China’s import volume increased by 86.6% compared to the same period in 2024.
Notably, the average export price of “black gold” in the first two months of this year reached 6,746 USD/ton, a significant increase of 68.2% compared to the same period in 2024. This is also the highest price in the past 8 years, since February 2017.
The average export price of “black gold” in the first two months reached 6,746 USD/ton, a significant increase of 68.2% compared to the same period in 2024.
Meanwhile, global pepper production is forecast to decline in 2025, mainly due to the reduction in pepper area in Vietnam and adverse weather conditions in India. It is likely that Vietnam’s pepper production in the 2024-2025 season will reach 172,000 tons, a decrease of 2% compared to the last year and 47% compared to the 2018-2019 season. While the demand in the global market remains high, this could lead to an increase in pepper prices in the coming time.
Vietnam currently accounts for about 40% of the total production and nearly 55% of the global pepper export value. The Vietnamese pepper and spice industry continues to maintain its important position in the international market, despite facing increasingly fierce competition. Improving product quality, enhancing risk management, and expanding international cooperation are important factors for the sustainable development of the industry.
With the current pepper prices, farmers not only have high incomes but also have the motivation to invest in and take better care of their pepper gardens, contributing to improved economic efficiency and stable livelihoods. High pepper prices also encourage farmers to store their products, helping to reduce the pressure to sell immediately during the harvest season.
Mr. Nguyen Quy Duong, Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that Vietnam has favorable climate and soil conditions, making it the largest center for pepper production and export in the world. In 2024, the pepper area in Vietnam reached 110,500 hectares, with an average yield of 26 quintals per hectare, double the global average (12.7 quintals per hectare), resulting in a total production of about 200,000 tons. The export turnover of pepper in 2024 was 1.32 billion USD, making a significant contribution to Vietnam’s agricultural economy.