Spices like pepper, cinnamon, star anise, and emerging products are bringing in tens of trillions of Vietnamese dong each year for Vietnam. Notably, behind the figures are growth rates that indicate a clear shift from quantity to value.
Pepper continues to play the leading role. In 2025, Vietnam exported about 240,000-245,000 tons of pepper. This is a slight decrease of 3-5% in volume compared to previous peak periods. However, the turnover reached 1.6-1.65 billion USD, an increase of over 20% compared to 2024, equivalent to over 40,000 billion VND. This increase comes from a significant improvement in average export prices and the proportion of high-quality, deeply processed orders.
Currently, the United States, Europe, and the Middle East remain key markets, accounting for over 50% of the total value, with increasingly strict requirements for food safety, residues, and traceability.
Spices help Vietnam earn trillions of VND each year.
Cinnamon is a bright spot for growth recently. By the end of 2025, the export value of cinnamon is estimated at 280-300 million USD, an increase of 15-20% compared to the previous year, equivalent to 7,000-7,500 billion VND. Exports increased by double digits, while value maintained its upward trend due to stable demand from India, the US, and the EU. Vietnam is among the world’s leading cinnamon exporting countries, with advantages in supply and variety.
The strength of cinnamon lies not only in its role as a spice but also in its ability to expand into processed foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and essential oils.
According to the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association, in 2025, star anise exports reached 50-55 million USD, a slight increase of 5-7% compared to 2024. The markets for star anise are China, India, and the Middle East. The growth potential for this product is essential oils, extracts, and aromatic products, where the value can be many times higher than selling raw materials.
Besides traditional items, the emerging spice group is experiencing remarkable growth. In 2025, Vietnam’s chili export value exceeded 100 million USD, an increase of 30-40% compared to 2024, equivalent to over 2.5 trillion VND. This growth is due to strong demand from China and East Asia. The export value of ginger, turmeric, and fresh and dried spices brings in several hundred million USD annually. This benefits from the global trend of consuming natural foods, functional foods, and Asian cuisine.
According to the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association, in 2026, the global spice market is forecast to maintain stable demand and even experience a slight increase in the mid-to-high-end segments. Demand for key spices such as pepper, cinnamon, and star anise is unlikely to increase strongly in the short term due to reduced planting areas in some countries and rising production costs.
Major markets are tightening standards, traceability, and sustainability requirements, putting pressure on businesses that only export raw materials, rely on traders, and compete on price. Therefore, they need to invest in standard raw material areas, deep processing, and brand building, rather than just chasing volume.