On the international market, the International Pepper Community quoted Lampung black pepper (Indonesia) at USD6,717/tonne, Brazil ASTA 570 black pepper at USD6,150/tonne, and Kuching black pepper (Malaysia ASTA) at USD9,000/tonne. Muntok white pepper reached USD9,143/tonne, while Malaysia ASTA white pepper was priced at USD12,000/tonne.

Vietnamese black pepper traded at USD6,600/tonne for 500 g/l and USD6,800/tonne for 550 g/l, while white pepper stood at USD9,350/tonne. The IPC noted that global pepper prices showed mixed movements among major producing countries during the second week of January 2026.

With global supply expected to remain tight in 2026 due to climate change impacts, pepper prices are forecast to stay at attractive levels, ensuring profitability for growers. In 2025, Vietnam exported 247,482 tonnes of pepper, including 212,279 tonnes of black pepper and 35,203 tonnes of white pepper, generating export revenue of over USD1.66 billion. Although export volume declined slightly by about 1.2%, export value surged by 26%, marking the highest export turnover ever for Vietnam’s pepper industry. Average export prices in 2025 reached USD6,607/tonne for black pepper and USD8,629/tonne for white pepper.

According to the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA), the country exported 22,473 tonnes of pepper of all kinds in December, valued at 146.4 million USD.

Compared with November, export volume rose 20.9% and value increased 20.5%, while year-on-year growth reached 47.2% in volume and 45.5% in value. Average export prices in December stood at 6,485 USD per tonne for black pepper and 8,565 USD per tonne for white pepper.

The US remained Vietnam’s largest export market in December, accounting for 27.7% of total shipments with 6,233 tonnes, followed by the UAE, China, Thailand and Germany.

For the whole of 2025, Vietnam exported 247,482 tonnes of pepper, including 212,279 tonnes of black pepper and 35,203 tonnes of white pepper.

Although total export volume declined slightly by about 1.2% compared with 2024, export value surged 26%, reflecting sharply higher prices. Average export prices reached 6,607 USD per tonne for black pepper and 8,629 USD per tonne for white pepper, up more than 30% year-on-year.

Despite the impact of reciprocal tariffs, which caused pepper exports to the US to fall nearly 24% year-on-year, the US remained Vietnam’s largest buyer in 2025 with 55,082 tonnes, accounting for 22.3% of total exports.

Other major markets included the UAE (22,232 tonnes), China (19,923 tonnes), India (12,499 tonnes) and Germany (11,820 tonnes).

VPSA Chairwoman Hoang Thi Lien said Vietnam continues to lead the world in pepper exports, but the industry faces growing pressure from stricter sustainability requirements in key markets such as the EU and the US. Challenges related to soil degradation, emissions and plant diseases are prompting a shift toward regenerative farming models and low-carbon production.

Meanwhile, Phan Minh Thong, Chairman of Phuc Sinh Group, noted that many Vietnamese enterprises are investing in processing technologies to boost value-added exports, helping maintain the competitiveness of Vietnamese pepper amid global volatility.

In 2025, Vietnam also imported 42,688 tonnes of pepper for processing and re-export, valued at 266.2 million USD, with Brazil remaining the largest supplier.

As spicy as pepper, cinnamon exports also hit a record, with nearly 120,300 tonnes shipped, generating 300 million USD in export revenue.

T.Huong

Source: Vitic