Vietnam’s pepper exports reach $950.2 million as US buying accelerates

First-half revenue approaches $1 billion

Vietnam’s pepper export revenue reached approximately $950.2 million in the first six months of 2026, putting the industry close to the $1 billion threshold after only half a year. According to customs data reported by VietNamNet, the country shipped 146,000 tonnes during the period, an increase of 18.5% by volume and 12.1% by value from the first half of 2025.

June exports amounted to 24,100 tonnes with an estimated value of $160.6 million. Compared with June 2025, volume increased by 3.6% and value rose by 2.1%. The average export price for the first half was $6,508 per tonne. Although total revenue grew, the average price remained below the level recorded a year earlier, reflecting pressure from more abundant global supply.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment reported that the country harvested 267,300 tonnes of different types of pepper in the first half, 5% more than in the same period of 2025. The harvest provided a larger supply base for the export expansion, but the slower increase in revenue than in volume indicates that exporters received lower average prices.

United States strengthens its position as top buyer

The United States remained Vietnam’s largest pepper market during the six-month period. US buyers purchased 36,040 tonnes worth $260 million, accounting for 24.7% of Vietnam’s total export volume. Shipments to the market increased by 24.5% in volume and 18.2% in value compared with the corresponding period of 2025.

Separate data from the US International Trade Commission show that total US imports of pepper under HS codes 090411 and 090412 reached 40,020 tonnes, valued at $298.6 million, in the first five months of 2026. Those figures represented year-on-year increases of 10.4% in volume and 11.5% in value.

Vietnam supplied 31,950 tonnes of that total, worth $239.73 million. Its shipments to the United States rose by 36.8% in volume and 35.8% in value. Vietnam’s share of US pepper import volume consequently increased from 64.4% to 79.82%, while its share by value advanced from 65.95% to 80.3%.

The gains came as competing origins lost ground. US import volume from Indonesia declined by 65.2%, while purchases from India fell by 23.4%. Imports from the group of other supplying markets decreased by 27.7%. Vietnam’s already high market share, however, leaves limited room for further expansion through displacement of competitors alone.

Turkey and Thailand lead diversification

Demand also strengthened outside Vietnam’s traditional destinations. First-half export volume to Turkey increased by 117.6%, while shipments to Thailand rose by 90.9%. Exports grew by 50% to the Netherlands, 46.4% to Egypt, 23.8% to Pakistan and 21.5% to the Philippines. Vietnam’s Import-Export Department said the results showed that exporters were gradually expanding their presence across additional regions and diversifying their markets.

The department expects Vietnam’s pepper exports to the United States to remain positive during the final months of 2026, but it cautioned that future growth will depend less on capturing additional market share. Stable supply, improved quality and higher-value products will become more important. With global supply weighing on average prices, deeper processing, compliance with sustainability standards and a broader customer base will be central to protecting revenue and margins.