The market was supported by concerns over the 2026 harvest, as prolonged drought conditions were recorded in major growing areas including Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Dak Nong and Binh Phuoc, which were expected to negatively affect flower differentiation and fruit set.

In Dak Lak province, pepper was traded at VND149,000 per kg, up VND500. Prices in Dak Nong (Lam Dong province) also stood at VND149,000 per kg, up VND500. In Gia Lai, prices rose to VND148,500 per kg, while Dong Nai recorded the same level, both up VND500. In Ba Ria–Vung Tau (Ho Chi Minh City), pepper prices increased by VND1,000 to VND149,000 per kg. In Binh Phuoc (Dong Nai province), prices were quoted at VND148,000 per kg, up VND500.

Overall, domestic pepper prices rose by VND500–1,000 per kg compared with the previous morning.

On the international market, the International Pepper Community (IPC) quoted Indonesian black pepper Lampung at USD6,622 per tonne, up 0.36%. Brazilian black pepper ASTA 570 was assessed at USD6,000 per tonne, while Malaysian black pepper Kuching ASTA stood at USD9,000 per tonne. White pepper Muntok was priced at USD9,106 per tonne, up 0.36%, and Malaysian white pepper ASTA at USD12,000 per tonne.

Vietnamese black pepper was traded at USD6,400 per tonne for the 500 g/l grade and USD6,600 per tonne for the 550 g/l grade, while white pepper was quoted at USD9,150 per tonne. IPC adjusted Indonesian pepper prices higher.

The Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association said the 2026 crop is expected to face multiple weather-related challenges. Early-year drought reduced flowering and fruit-setting rates, while heavy rains and high humidity during the rainy season increased the risk of root rot, slow decline and phytophthora disease, particularly in older plantations, negatively affecting plant vigor for subsequent crops.

As a result, average yields in many regions were expected to remain moderate, especially in aging plantations and among farmers with limited technical investment. Meanwhile, younger plantations were expected to maintain yields, and replanting areas were projected to increase slightly as high pepper prices improved growers’ investment capacity. Some areas planted in 2022–2023 were entering stable production, helping to supplement supply. Wider adoption of water-saving irrigation, balanced fertilization and integrated pest management was also expected to support productivity in key regions. Preliminary estimates indicated that 2026 pepper output could decline by around 15–20% compared with 2025.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, domestic and export pepper prices in Vietnam were generally stable following sharp gains in the first half of the year. Domestic black pepper prices hovered around VND146,000–148,000 per kg, while white pepper traded at VND235,000–239,000 per kg, slightly below mid-year peaks.

On the export front, FOB prices for black pepper were quoted at USD6,443–6,519 per tonne, while white pepper ranged from USD8,072–8,565 per tonne, easing slightly from the third quarter but remaining among the highest levels in recent years, reflecting a gradual rebalancing of supply and demand amid tight global supply.

Compared with 2024, average prices in 2025 rose sharply. Domestic black pepper prices increased by around 30–40% year on year, while white pepper rose by 20–30%. Export prices for black pepper climbed from USD3,800–6,500 per tonne in 2024 to USD6,300–6,900 per tonne in 2025, while white pepper rose from USD5,300–8,300 per tonne to above USD8,400–9,100 per tonne.

The trend reflected the combined impact of lower domestic output, low global inventories and sustained import demand for processing and re-export, establishing a new, higher price floor for Vietnam’s pepper sector.

More than 247,482 tonnes of pepper have been exported by Vietnam in 2025, valued at $1.66 billion, the highest level ever recorded for the product.

The figures represent a year-on-year drop of 1.2% in export volume but a year-on-year increase of 26% in value, reflecting sharply higher prices, according to the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA).

The average export price for black pepper reached $6,607 per tonne, while for white pepper, $8,629, up more than 30% year-on-year.

Though pepper exports to the US  fell nearly 24% year-on-year, due to the impact of reciprocal tariffs,  it remained Vietnam’s largest buyer in 2025 with 55,082 tonnes, accounting for 22.3% of the latter's total pepper exports.

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

T.Huong
Source: Vitic