AsemconnectVietnam - In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam's black pepper imports rose by 34.7% in volume compared to the same period of 2025, reaching 48,654 tonnes, surpassed the total import volume for the entire year of 2025.

According to the preliminary statistics figures from the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA), Vietnam imported 1,652 tonnes of black pepper in September of 2026, valued at US$9.9 million. This total comprised 1,395 tonnes of black pepper and 257 tonnes of white pepper. Compared to August of 2026, the import volume fell by 42.7% (a decrease of 1,231 tonnes), and the import value dropped by 44.8%. However, compared to September 2025, the import volume still showed a 4% increase (up by 64 tonnes).
Cambodia remained the largest supplier of black pepper in September, providing 866 tonnes and accounting for 52.4% of total imports. Imports from this market declined by 48.6% month-on-month but rose by 18.5% compared to the same period of 2025. Indonesia ranked second with 351 tonnes, representing 21.2% of total imports; this marked a 30.8% decrease from August but a 17.8% increase compared to September of 2025. Specifically, Vietnam imported 143 tonnes of black pepper and 208 tonnes of white pepper from Indonesia.
The supplies from Indonesia alone accounted for approximately 80.9% of the total white pepper imported during the month. By business group, non-VPSA enterprises imported 966 tonnes, accounting for 58.5% of the total volume, representing a 42.8% decrease from the previous month but a 30.7% increase year-on-year. Meanwhile, VPSA member enterprises imported 686 tonnes (41.5% of the total), down by 42.5% from August and down by 19.2% compared to September of 2025. KSS Vietnam and Olam Vietnam imported 230 tonnes and 136 tonnes of pepper, respectively, in September. Despite the sharp drop in import volume compared to the previous month, both companies recorded year-on-year increases of 40.2% and 30.8%, respectively.
In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam imported 48,654 tonnes of pepper valued at US$280.3 million; this represents a 34.7% increase in volume (an additional 12,542 tonnes) and a 24.2% increase in value compared to the same period of 2025. Compared to the first nine months of 2024, the volume of imported pepper has more than doubled.
However, import activity has tended to slow down in recent months. Import volumes fell from 8,010 tonnes in May to 6,225 tonnes in June, dropping further to 1,652 tonnes in September. Overall, the volume of pepper imports over the nine-month period was equivalent to approximately 22.5% of export volume, or nearly one-quarter of exports during the same timeframe. Notably, this represents the highest import volume in history, surpassing the 42,688 tonnes recorded for the entire year of 2025.
Regarding supply sources, Cambodia maintained the leading position with 27,846 tonnes over the nine-month period, an increase of 200.4% (or 18,576 tonnes)—accounting for 57.2% of total imports. Meanwhile, the imports from Brazil reached 12,715 tonnes (down by 28.7%, representing a 26.1% share), and the imports from Indonesia totaled 5,035 tonnes (down by 24%, representing a 10.3% share). Together, Cambodia, Brazil, and Indonesia supplied 45,596 tonnes, accounting for 93.7% of Vietnam's total black pepper imports.
Thus, the growth in black pepper imports during the first nine months of the year was driven primarily by supplies from Cambodia; this offset declines from Brazil and Indonesia while significantly altering the composition of Vietnam's imported black pepper sources.
Source: VITIC/tapchicongthuong.vn