Vietnam’s pepper exports near $1.3 billion in nine months, up 37% year-on-year amid soaring prices

VINAGRI News - Vietnam’s pepper export value surged nearly 29% in the first nine months of 2025, reaching close to US$1.3 billion, equivalent to the entire 2024 total, thanks to a 37% year-on-year price increase. Despite lower export volumes, rising global prices and robust demand are driving revenue to record levels.

Summary:

> Export value (Jan - Sep 2025): ~US$1.3 billion, up 29% YoY

> Export volume: 188,100 tons, down 6.3% YoY

> Average export price: US$6,773.5/ton, up 37.4% YoY

> Top markets: U.S. (25%, +8%), Germany (8%, +43%), India (6%, +66%)

> Domestic price: VND 140,000–150,000/kg

> Full-year 2025 forecast: US$1.8 billion in export revenue

> Production 2025: Estimated 260,000 tons, +5.1% YoY

Vietnam’s pepper industry has recorded a strong rebound in 2025, with export turnover reaching US$1.3 billion in the first nine months - matching the full-year value of 2024. The surge is driven by a sharp increase in export prices, averaging US$6,773.5 per ton, up 37.4% from the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Although export volume declined by 6.3% to 188,100 tons, the overall value rose 29%, underscoring the favorable price environment in global markets.

In the domestic market, pepper prices have remained high, fluctuating between VND 140,000 and 150,000 per kilogram - a level that continues to encourage farmers to maintain and expand production.

Major export markets posted strong growth. The United States remains the top buyer, accounting for 25% of exports with an 8% increase year-on-year. Germany saw exports rise 43%, while India recorded the sharpest growth at 66%, representing 6% of total exports.

With the current momentum, experts forecast 2025 export earnings could reach US$1.8 billion, marking a new milestone for the sector.

In 2024, Vietnam’s pepper exports returned to the billion-dollar club after several years, thanks to rising global prices. Industry experts attribute the sustained price rally over the past two years to tight global supply and strong demand recovery.

Vietnam - the world’s largest pepper supplier - is projected to produce around 260,000 tons in 2025, up 5.1% from 2024, supported by both expanded acreage and higher yields. Following years of oversupply and low prices, the recent price surge has renewed farmers’ confidence and spurred greater investment in crop care.

Looking ahead, analysts expect pepper prices to remain elevated over the next several years, as acreage growth is limited by competition from other high-value crops such as durian and coffee. While farmers are replanting with high-yield varieties and adopting intercropping models, a rapid expansion in total planting area appears unlikely.

As a result, Vietnam’s pepper industry is well-positioned to sustain strong export earnings, underpinned by stable supply, high global demand, and favorable market prices.

NPK/ Vinagri News