Rare Million-Dollar Spice in Global Demand: Vietnam’s Abundant Harvest Generates $33 Million, Sought by 31 Countries

According to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), mace is one of the world’s oldest spices and the third most expensive, following saffron and vanilla. Vietnam stands out as a nation with significant potential in producing and exporting this valuable spice.

Statistics from the Vietnam Pepper Association (VPSA) reveal that in 2025, Vietnam exported 4,247 tons of mace and nutmeg, generating a revenue of $32.9 million. Compared to 2024, export volume increased by 24.8%, while revenue rose by 19.1%. Nedspice Vietnam led exports with 2,001 tons, accounting for 47.1%, a 36.0% increase year-over-year.

To date, Vietnam’s mace and nutmeg exports reach 31 markets, with the Netherlands, Pakistan, and the United States as the top importers. Over 30 companies export these products. Globally, mace is predominantly cultivated in Guatemala, India, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, and Tanzania. It also grows wild or is cultivated in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and China. On Vietnamese e-commerce platforms, Indian mace retails for VND 1.5–1.9 million/kg, while foreign platforms sell Vietnamese mace for over VND 1.5 million/kg.

In 2024, Vietnam exported 3,402 tons of mace and nutmeg, earning $27.6 million. The Netherlands, the United States, and Germany were the primary importers, with 950 tons, 518 tons, and 369 tons, respectively.

Mace and nutmeg are high-value tropical spices primarily grown in Vietnam’s northern mountainous regions and the Central Highlands. Mace thrives in cool, shaded forest environments, while nutmeg favors tropical monsoon climates. Both possess strong aromas, warm spicy flavors, and are widely used in food processing, perfumery, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. In traditional medicine, they aid digestion, relieve bloating, provide mild antibacterial effects, and warm the body.

Commercially, Vietnam is emerging as a reliable supplier due to its extensive cultivation areas, competitive production costs, and increasingly professional export networks. With rising global demand for natural, clean, and traceable spices, the outlook for 2026 is positive. By standardizing quality, enhancing deep processing (powdering, essential oils, extracts), and expanding sustainability certifications, Vietnam’s mace and nutmeg exports can increase in value, expand market share in Europe, the Americas, and South Asia, and reduce reliance on raw exports.