Vietnam's pepper exports increased sharply in value
By the end of June 2025, Vietnam had exported a total of 124,133 tonnes of pepper of all kinds, including 105,939 tonnes of black pepper and 18,194 tons of white pepper. Although export volume decreased by 12.9% compared to the same period in 2024, the turnover reached 850.5 million USD, up 34.1%. The strong growth in value mainly came from the impressive increase in export prices. The average price of black pepper reached 6,665 USD/tonne, up 93.6%; white pepper reached 8,079 USD/tonne, up 63.0% over the same period last year. This is the highest price in many years, clearly reflecting the recovery trend of the global pepper market, and showing a significant improvement in product quality and value-added chain of the Vietnamese pepper industry. In terms of markets, the United States continued to be the largest destination with 24,979 tonnes, accounting for 23.6% of total exports.
Other key markets such as: India (7,768 tonnes), UAE (7,700 tonnes), China (6,610 tonnes) and Germany (4,836 tonnes) maintained stable import levels, reflecting the trend of market diversification, reducing dependence on some traditional partners.
Brazil's pepper exports increased by 33,8% and Vietnam was Brazil's largest pepper export market
According to data from International Trade Center (ITC), Brazil's pepper harvest in 2025 is estimated at 85,000-90,000 tonnes, a significant increase compared to output of 75,000 tonnes in 2024. The harvest is taking place in Espírito Santo state.
According to statistics from Brazilian State Center for Foreign Trade Statistics (Comex Stat), by the end of June 2025, Brazilian pepper exports reached 49,761 tonnes, with a turnover of 309.7 million USD, an increase of 33.8% in export volume and 118.6% in turnover over the same period last year. In the first 6 months of 2025, Vietnam was Brazil's largest pepper export market with an output of 17,563 tonnes, accounting for 35.3% of market share, a sharp increase of 197.2% over the same period in 2024. The following markets include: UAE with 4,675 tonnes (9.4%, up 31.4%), India with 4,623 tonnes (9.3%, up 18.8%), Senegal with 3,696 tonnes (7.4%, up 1.0%) and Morocco with 3,502 tonnes (7.0%, down 1.8%). Average export price reached 6,224 USD/tonne, up 63.4% over the same period last year.
Brazil recorded a positive increase in black pepper prices compared to the previous year, especially in Q1-2025 at 6,621 USD/tonne, up more than 67% over the same period in 2024. However, increase did not last long when price decreased slightly to 6,539 USD/tonne in Q2/2025. However, the current price is still significantly higher than the previous year.
Indonesian pepper recovers strongly in both price and export volume
Indonesia's pepper output in 2025 is estimated at 63,000 tonnes. In the first half of the year, the country's pepper exports recorded a strong recovery, especially reflected in the impressive price increase of both black and white pepper.
Indonesia's black pepper export price nearly doubled compared to the same period in 2024, from 3,998 USD/tonne in the first quarter of 2024 to 7,201 USD/tonne in the first quarter of 2025, and continued to increase to 7,325 USD/tonne in the second quarter. This is considered one of the strongest increases among major pepper exporting countries, reflecting positive signals on supply - demand and improvements in the value chain of the Indonesian pepper industry.
Similarly, white pepper prices maintained a steady increase. From 6,152 USD/tonne in the first quarter of 2024, the price increased to 9,807 USD/tonne in the first quarter of 2025 and reached 9,976 USD/tonne in the second quarter. Compared to the same period last year, the increases reached 59% and 40% respectively, showing strong market demand, especially for high-value products such as processed white pepper.
Regarding export volume, according to ITC, in May 2025 alone, Indonesia exported 2,856 tonnes of pepper, down 15% compared to the previous month and marking the 5th consecutive month of monthly export decline. However, in the first 5 months of the year, exports reached 18,556 tonnes, up 18.7% over the same period in 2024 and up 76.4% compared to 2023.
The main export markets include: Vietnam accounting for 23.7% with 4,400 tonnes (up 58.0%), China 18.9% with 3,504 tonnes (up 11.4%), the United States 14.2% with 2,632 tonnes (down 2.8%) and India 11.9% with an increase of 36.5%.
Data shows that Indonesia has not only recovered in price but also significantly expanded its exports, especially to Asian countries such as Vietnam and China. In the context of the global pepper market being volatile due to climate change, increasing logistics costs and increasing trade barriers, the export growth of more than 40% in the first 4 months of the year is a signal showing the adaptability and expansion of the Indonesian pepper industry.
The domestic market is becoming the top priority for Indian pepper
In 2025, India's pepper output continues to face many difficulties due to unfavorable weather, especially in Karnataka state - the main production area. Output is estimated to decrease by 20-25%, although lower than the forecast of a sharp decrease of up to 38% given at the beginning of the year, but still puts great pressure on the supply. Given this situation, experts predict that India's pepper import demand will increase to make up for the shortage and meet the growing domestic consumption demand.
Despite the decline in output, India's black pepper export prices have maintained a steady upward trend. In 2024, prices were already high (US$6,763-7,296/tonne), and in 2025, they continued to increase to US$7,813/ton in the first quarter and US$8,208/tonne in the second quarter. The upward price trend reflects the sustainable competitiveness of Indian pepper thanks to product quality, brand reputation and increasingly improved standards.
However, due to limited domestic supply, India prioritizes domestic consumption, causing exports to decline. In the first 4 months of 2025, pepper exports reached 6,005 tons, down 8.4% over the same period last year. This shows that the domestic market is becoming the top priority of the Indian pepper industry in the context of production difficulties and high domestic demand.
Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn