According to statistics from the Vietnam Pepper Association (VPA), in March 2025, Vietnam exported 1,469 tons of star anise with a turnover of 5.1 million USD. This was a significant increase of 102.9% compared to the last month. India was the largest export market with 1,111 tons, an increase of nearly 5% compared to February 2025.
In the first quarter of 2025, Vietnam exported 3,495 tons of star anise with a total export value of 12.2 million USD. This was a significant increase of 57.3% in volume and 2.2% in value compared to the same period last year.
According to the World Spice Association, star anise is a rare spice, only 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.
Star anise exports increased strongly by over 102% in March.
Star anise can be used for the treatment of many diseases, such as colds and aches, and to prevent infections. It is also a cooking spice to enhance the flavor of dishes, especially pho. With many useful applications, star anise is favored by consumers worldwide. In addition to domestic consumption, star anise is exported to many countries.
Especially star anise from Lang Son has reached many countries, such as China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, the UK, the US, France, Japan, and Germany. In addition to direct exports to foreign partners, Lang Son star anise products are promoted through international trade platforms such as Alibaba and Amazon. In recent years, India and China have been considered the two main export markets for Vietnamese star anise, accounting for an average market share of 50% and 25%, respectively.
India is leading the world in cinnamon and star anise consumption. This is also a major producer of medicinal herbs. Currently, Vietnam dominates the Indian market with over 80% market share in terms of cinnamon and star anise. This country has a billion people, with over 60% being young, making it an attractive and promising market for Vietnamese businesses to export goods. It is expected that the spending of the Indian people will increase from the current 1.5 trillion USD to nearly 6 trillion USD by 2030, opening up many opportunities for Vietnamese products in the fields of agricultural products and spices.
Vietnam is one of the leading countries in spice exports, holding the top position in the world for the production and export of pepper, cinnamon, and star anise. In addition, other spice products from Vietnam also hold quite an important position, such as chili, cloves, ginger, cardamom, or nutmeg.