According to data from the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA), in the first half of August, businesses exported nearly 11,000 tons of pepper, earning $72 million. Compared to the previous month, pepper exports in the first half of August decreased by 0.2% in volume but increased by 2.1% in value thanks to higher export prices.
VPSA stated that pepper prices in Vietnam are currently high, ranging from 142,500 to 146,000 VND/kg. At Ho Chi Minh City’s port, the export prices of black pepper with specifications of 500g/l and 550g/l reached 6,440 and 6,570 USD/ton, respectively, an increase of up to 170 USD/ton compared to the previous month. As a result, the total export turnover of pepper from the beginning of the year to August 15 reached $1.06 billion.
Among the top pepper exporters in the first half of August 2025, Simexco Dak Lak, a company usually ranked in the top 6, unexpectedly took the lead with an export volume of 1,076 tons, accounting for nearly 10% market share. Following are Olam Vietnam (1,002 tons), Nedspice Vietnam (833 tons), Haprosimex JSC (803 tons), and Phuc Sinh (611 tons).
Pepper, also known as “black gold,” is a commodity with over 90% of its output exported, making the industry highly dependent on global market fluctuations. Vietnamese pepper is currently present in more than 100 countries and territories.
This commodity is exported to major markets in Asia, the US, EU, Africa, and more. Among these markets, the US is the dominant market for Vietnamese pepper.
From the beginning of the year until now, the largest exporters of pepper to the US are Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Brazil, and China. Vietnam remains the largest supplier to this market, accounting for 64.4% of the total pepper imports into the US. In the first seven months of the year, Vietnam’s pepper exports to the US reached nearly 33,000 tons, with a turnover of $248 million, a 21% increase compared to the same period last year due to higher prices.
Mr. Le Viet Anh, VPSA Secretary-General, stated that the 20% retaliatory tax applied by the US to imports from Vietnam does not cause significant concern for Vietnamese pepper exporters. While the US tax had caused Vietnamese pepper prices to plunge to a low of 120,000 VND/kg in the past, prices rebounded in July and currently hover around 145,000 VND/kg, helping businesses compensate for costs to some extent.
VPSA predicts that demand from the US market will increase significantly in Q4/2025 and Q1/2026 as importers stock up on pepper for the peak consumption season.
“Global pepper prices are expected to rise in the second half of 2025 due to increased demand from major markets, creating favorable conditions for Vietnam’s pepper exports,” VPSA forecasted.
Despite a projected decrease in pepper export volume in 2025 to 220,000 tons compared to 250,000 tons in 2024, VPSA expects the industry’s turnover to increase compared to the previous year, possibly reaching $1.4 billion. However, due to the 20% tax imposed by the US, the actual value brought back to the industry will be around $1.3 billion, similar to last year’s figure.
In 2024, Vietnam’s pepper exports reached a record turnover of $1.32 billion, with 250,600 tons of various pepper exports. Last year, the average export price of black pepper was $6,476/ton, while white pepper reached $8,198/ton.
The Pepper Price Surge: Reaching New Heights
The domestic pepper market witnessed a remarkable surge on August 27, with prices soaring by almost VND 2,000 per kg, pushing the average price closer to the VND 150,000 per kg mark.
The Domestic Consumption Price Surge
The domestic pepper price ranges from VND 143,500 to VND 146,000 per kg, a significant increase of VND 6,000 to VND 8,000 per kg since the beginning of August.
The Black Gold Rush: Vietnam’s Tens of Thousands of Tons Conquer Over 100 Nations, Skyrocketing Prices and America Leads the Pack
The price of the “black gold” from Vietnam has been soaring and it’s no wonder that this sought-after commodity is coveted by many nations across the globe.
The Spice is Right: Black Pepper’s Billion-Dollar Comeback
The pepper market is booming, with prices soaring high and predicted to rise further due to strong global demand and limited supply. The Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA) forecasts that the country’s pepper exports will surpass $1 billion this year, reclaiming its status as a billion-dollar industry.
