According to statistics from the Vietnam Pepper Association (VPSA), in April 2025, Vietnam exported 2,436 tons of star anise, worth over 9.7 million USD. This is a significant increase of 65.8% in volume and 90.2% in value.
In the first 4 months of the year, Vietnam exported 5,931 tons of star anise with a revenue of 21.9 million USD, an increase of 63% in volume and 17.3% in value. India remained the largest export market for star anise, with a production of 4,571 tons, equivalent to 77% market share.
Earlier in 2024, Vietnam exported 14,004 tons of star anise with a total export value of 63.7 million USD. Compared to 2023, the export volume decreased by 5.7%, and the export value decreased by 16.2%.
India has been the ideal destination for Vietnamese star anise for many years. The reason is that this country has a population of over 1.4 billion people, with a high demand for spices and fragrances in cuisine and traditional medicine. Additionally, India is a global center for pharmaceutical production, where star anise is widely used in herbal and cosmetic products.
Star anise export turnover increased by 90% in April.
The increasingly close economic relations between Vietnam and India are a major driving force, with trade agreements to reduce tariff barriers helping Vietnamese star anise easily reach Indian consumers.
To fully exploit the potential in the Indian market, Vietnam needs to focus on several key solutions, such as enhancing deep processing to increase the production of star anise essential oil, organic star anise powder, and ready-to-use products to meet the diverse needs of the Indian pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.
Building a national brand: Take advantage of the “Hồi Lạng Sơn” geographical indication to promote star anise through fairs and exhibitions in India. Enhance trade promotion: Actively participate in Vietnam-India trade conferences while also using e-commerce platforms to reach Indian consumers.
Investing in technology: Applying modern technology in cultivation, processing, and preservation to enhance quality and meet international standards.
The agriculture and processing industry of cinnamon and medicinal plants in Vietnam has gradually transitioned to a sustainable development phase, reducing raw products and traditional farming methods while enhancing the production of high-value processed products such as star anise essential oil and star anise powder, while promoting production along the value chain.
In addition to India, Vietnam has other potential markets for star anise exports. In the United States, where there is a large, diverse population and a consumer demand for specialty products with health benefits, cinnamon and star anise are potential export products for Vietnam. Another potential market for cinnamon and star anise is Pakistan, where there is high demand for these spices and medicinal herbs.