According to statistics from the Vietnam Pepper Association (VPSA), Vietnam’s chili exports in February 2025 reached 220 tons with a turnover of 0.75 million USD. This was a decrease of 35.3% compared to January. Laos continues to be the largest market for Vietnamese chili exports in the month, with 126 tons, accounting for 57.3%.
By the end of February 2025, Vietnam has exported 560 tons of chili, with a total export value of 1.9 million USD, equivalent to over 48 billion USD. Compared to the same period in 2024, the export volume decreased by 65.4%, and the export value decreased by 52.1%.
Experts explain that the reason for the decline in Vietnam’s chili exports in the first two months of 2025 is due to the Tet holiday. In the coming time, the chili export activities are expected to recover as the main harvest season begins.
Laos is the main export market for Vietnamese chili, accounting for 51.1% and reaching 286 tons. For Laotians, the spicy flavor is an indispensable part of their cuisine. A representative from a chili export business said that Laotians are very good at eating spicy food, and dried chili is the main seasoning in their dishes. Purchasing power increases every year, and the number of customers seeking long-term contracts is also rising.
Half of Vietnam’s chili shipment is to Laos.
According to some experts, due to the high spiciness and variety of Vietnamese chili, they are favored in markets such as China and Laos.
In the world, Asia is the largest chili-producing region, accounting for 80% of global chili production. The main chili-producing countries in the world include India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Nigeria, and Mexico. Among them, India is the largest producer and exporter of chili in the world, followed by Vietnam, China, and Indonesia.
Vietnam has a tropical climate, which is very suitable for cultivating chili all year round. Regions such as the Mekong Delta, the Central Highlands, or the Southeast are ideal areas for growing chili with high yields and stable quality. In addition, the initial investment cost for chili is not too high, making it easy for farmers to access the cultivation model without a large amount of capital. Only after 3-4 months of planting can farmers harvest, creating favorable conditions for quick capital turnover.
The chili consumption market in Vietnam is very large because it is an essential spice in most dishes. Not only serving domestic demand, the Vietnamese chili industry also has great potential in other export markets such as China, South Korea, Japan, and the EU, which are increasingly interested in Vietnamese chili products due to their stable quality and reasonable prices. Besides, many food processing enterprises have a high demand for this ingredient, especially in the production of chili sauce, chili powder, and related seasoning products.