Pepper exports surge, exceeding $620M in 4 months

Pepper remains one of Viet Nam’s top-performing agricultural exports this year. According to the Viet Nam Customs, Viet Nam exported 96,800 tonnes of pepper worth nearly USD 623 million in the first four months of 2026, up 31.6% in volume and 22.6% in value compared with the same period in 2025.

Thanks to the strong performance of pepper exports, Viet Nam’s entire pepper and spice sector exported approximately 150,000 tonnes worth around USD 760 million during the January-April 2026 period, representing year-on-year increases of 20% in volume and 15% in value.

Thanks to the strong performance of pepper exports, Viet Nam’s entire pepper and spice sector exported approximately 150,000 tonnes worth around USD 760 million during the January-April 2026 period, representing year-on-year increases of 20% in volume and 15% in value.

According to Mrs. Hoang Thi Lien, Chairwoman of the Viet Nam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA), the main driver of pepper exports in recent months has been the recovery in import demand from major markets, particularly the United States, where Vietnamese pepper imports have rebounded strongly after a sharp decline in 2025.

Viet Nam Customs data show that nearly 25,000 tonnes of Vietnamese pepper, valued at USD 178 million, were exported to the United States during the first four months of 2026, up 39.4% in volume and 34% in value compared with the same period last year. Exports to the U.S. accounted for 25.5% of Viet Nam’s total pepper export volume during the period.

With American importers significantly increasing purchases from Viet Nam, the country has maintained its position as the largest supplier of pepper to the U.S. market.

According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), U.S. pepper imports reached more than 21,000 tonnes valued at USD 163 million in the first three months of 2026, down 0.4% in volume but up 2.8% in value year-on-year. Imports from Viet Nam totaled nearly 17,000 tonnes, an increase of 28.7% compared with the same period in 2025, accounting for 78.1% of total U.S. pepper imports.

Import prices have also risen. During the first quarter of 2026, the average import price of pepper in the United States reached USD 7,600 per tonne, up 3.2% year-on-year. The average import price of Vietnamese pepper increased by 1.1%.

The Agency of Foreign Trade assessed that demand in the U.S. market is showing signs of strengthening, with many importers increasing purchases for shipments scheduled between October and December 2026 and for the first quarter of 2027.

Beyond the United States, China has also emerged as a rapidly growing market. Ms. Hoang Thi Lien said pepper exports to China surged by more than 200% during the first four months of this year.

China’s import demand is expected to recover further in 2026 to meet domestic consumption needs. Current annual pepper consumption in China is estimated at 90,000-100,000 tonnes, while domestic production reaches only about 30,000 tonnes. This substantial supply-demand gap is expected to drive higher pepper imports throughout the year.

Supported by strong demand from the United States, China, and other markets, Vietnamese pepper prices have remained relatively stable at above VND 140,000 per kilogram.

The Agency of Foreign Trade forecasts that pepper prices will likely continue to rise or trade sideways at elevated levels in the short term. However, the market is entering a new price upcycle driven by global supply shortages, and prices are expected to reach VND 150,000-160,000 per kilogram toward the end of the year as exporters increase purchases to fulfill fourth-quarter export orders.

If pepper prices remain stable at current levels and continue to trend upward, they will provide a strong incentive for farmers in the Central Highlands to continue investing in and maintaining pepper cultivation.

Mr. Nguyen Men, a pepper farmer in Bao Lam 1 Commune, said that although pepper prices have fluctuated since the beginning of the year due to tensions in the Middle East, they have generally remained at levels that generate solid revenue and profits for growers. Even at their lowest point, prices have stayed well above production costs.

In Bao Lam 1, where pepper is commonly intercropped with coffee, many farming households continue to earn significant income from the crop thanks to strong yields and favorable market prices.

$1 = VND 26,395 (Source: Vietcombank).