By the end of April 2025, Vietnam had exported 5,931 tons of star anise, with a total export value of 21.9 million USD. Compared to the same period last year, the export volume increased by 63.0%, and the export value increased by 17.3%. India is the largest export market for Vietnam’s star anise, with 4,571 tons, equivalent to 77% market share.
According to statistics from the Vietnam Pepper Association (VPSA), in April 2025, Vietnam exported 2,436 tons of star anise, with a turnover of 9.7 million USD, an increase of 65.8% in volume and 90.2% in value compared to last month.
In the entire year of 2024, Vietnam exported 14,004 tons of star anise, with a total turnover of over 63.7 million USD.
Star anise exports have brought in 22 million USD.
Previously, in 2023, Vietnam earned 83 million USD from the export of star anise, with a volume of 16,136 tons. India was the largest export market, with 499 tons, accounting for 57% of the total.
According to the World Spice Association, star anise is a rare spice, almost exclusively found in Vietnam and China, with only two harvests per year. In Vietnam, star anise is primarily cultivated in the northern border provinces, such as Lang Son and Cao Bang, bringing high economic value.
Thanks to the favorable natural climate and soil conditions, Lang Son star anise is considered to have the highest quality, with a high essential oil content, and, notably, the essential oil is non-toxic.
In Lang Son, star anise is grown across almost all districts (most notably in the districts of Van Quan, Binh Gia, Van Lang, Loc Binh, and Cao Loc) with a total area of over 35,000 hectares, accounting for more than 70% of the country’s star anise area.
According to the Vietnam Forestry Science Institute, star anise is a medium-sized tree, 2-6 meters tall, green all year-round, with a straight trunk. Each year, the tree is only harvested twice, making star anise even more precious.
Star anise flowers twice a year, but there are no clear boundaries. The first bloom usually occurs in June, and the other is around August-September.
Typically, if the star anise tree is cared for well, it will bloom after 4-5 years of planting and can be harvested for several decades. The yield of the star anise tree from the 4th to 6th year is about 0.5-1 kg per tree. From the 20th year onwards, the star anise tree will yield a stable output, reaching 40-50 kg per tree.
Star anise essential oil is a valuable ingredient in the production of massage oils, digestive aids, and the formulation of cosmetics and fragrances.
Due to its spicy and fragrant properties, star anise is widely used in dishes like pho, curry, stews, and braised ones. It helps enhance flavor, making the taste rich and distinctive. In addition, star anise stimulates appetite and enhances the sense of taste.
Thanks to its distinctive aroma and diverse applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries, star anise is now popular domestically and has established its position in the global market.