According to data from the Customs Department, Vietnam exported around 18,000 tons of pepper in November alone, generating nearly $119 million. This marked a 4.1% decrease in volume and a 5.9% drop in value compared to the previous month.

However, the cumulative total for the first 11 months of 2025 tells a different story. Vietnam exported 223,200 tons of pepper, earning over $1.5 billion, officially breaking the previous all-time record of $1.43 billion set in 2016.

The achievement is largely attributed to a sharp rise in average export prices. In the first 11 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pepper sold at an average price of $6,755.10 per ton - an increase of 30.5% compared to the same period in 2024.

Despite a 5% decrease in export volume, the impressive price surge drove a 24.1% rise in overall export value year-on-year.

A report from the Department of Digital Transformation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shows that domestic black pepper purchasing prices rose sharply in November, increasing by VND 4,000–5,500 per kilogram (approximately $0.16–$0.22/kg).

Specifically, prices in Dak Lak and Dak Nong provinces rose by VND 4,000, reaching VND 150,000/kg (around $6.15/kg). In Gia Lai, the price rose by VND 5,500 to VND 149,500/kg (~$6.13/kg).

Ho Chi Minh City also saw a VND 5,000 increase, reaching VND 150,000/kg, while in Dong Nai, the price rose by VND 4,500 to VND 149,500/kg.

According to the Ministry, the price surge in November stemmed from news that the U.S. would exempt pepper and certain spices from countervailing duties. Concerns over supply shortages - triggered by complicated flooding in Vietnam’s key pepper-growing regions in the Central Highlands - also contributed to the price hike.

On the import side, Vietnam imported 2,459 tons of pepper in November, worth $15.2 million. This marked a significant 47.2% increase from October but still a 43.9% drop from November 2024. Notably, Cambodia emerged as Vietnam’s largest pepper supplier for the month, delivering 1,506 tons - accounting for 61.2% of total imports.

By the end of November, Vietnam had imported 40,242 tons of pepper worth $252 million. This included 34,545 tons of black pepper and 5,697 tons of white pepper.

Compared to the same period in 2024, import volumes increased by 22%, while the total value rose by 62.3%.

Among supplying countries, Brazil remained the largest exporter to Vietnam with 18,956 tons, accounting for 47.1% of the total - a 10.6% increase from the same period last year. Cambodia followed, supplying 11,211 tons or 27.9%, a massive year-on-year surge of 65.5%.

Tam An