Star anise exports in January 2024 reached 879 tons with a value of more than 4.5 million USD, down 18.8% from the last month but up 32% compared to January 2023.
India is Vietnam’s largest export market with 499 tons, accounting for 57%.
The average export price in 2023 was 6,376 USD/ton, down 8% compared to the last year. In the whole year, India and China held the role as the two largest markets with 7,860 tons and 4,116 tons, accounting for 48.7% and 25.5% of the export market, respectively.
Lang Son is known as the “center” of star anise with an area of about 40,000 ha for an annual output of more than 16,000 tons, and an average annual economic value of over 1,000 billion VND. According to Lang Son Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in 2022 alone, the harvest output was estimated at 13,000 tons of dried star anise and the value was about 1,500 billion VND. Previously, in 2021, Lang Son’s star anise products had an export value of 31 million USD, equivalent to an export volume of about 3,500 tons of dried star anise.
Not only a favorite spice in many countries, star anise is also a valuable medicine for people with osteoarthritis. It helps to treat and reduce cough, abdominal pain, and flu, and regulate blood. Star anise stems have characteristic flavors such as seeds, which can be eaten like vegetables. Seeds are processed and used in some foods. Star anise powder is suitable for baking and is the main condiment for many recipes such as duck and pork.
Vietnam is currently one of the leading countries in spice export with the leading position in the world in pepper production and export, in cinnamon export, and No. 2 in star anise export. In addition, other spices hold an important position such as chili, ginger, cardamom, etc. Vietnam’s spice import markets are increasingly diverse such as the US, EU, China, India, and the Middle East./.