Vietnam Supplies More Than 80% of US Pepper Imports as Asian Rivals Lose Ground
Vietnam supplied 44,119 tonnes of pepper to the United States in the first seven months of 2026, accounting for 80.4% of US imports. Shipments from Vietnam rose 22.2%, while imports from India and Indonesia fell sharply.
Vietnam widens its lead in the US market
The United States imported 54,878 tonnes of pepper worth $417.0 million in the first seven months of 2026, according to the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association figures reported by Dân Việt. Import volume increased 4.9% and value rose 4.8% from the same period of 2025.
Vietnam supplied 44,119 tonnes, up 22.2% year on year, and captured 80.4% of total US pepper imports. The increase means Vietnam provided most of the additional volume entering the market, strengthening its position as the dominant supplier to US food manufacturers, spice companies, retailers and restaurants.
Other major Asian origins lost ground over the same period. US imports from India declined 17.3% to 4,265 tonnes, while purchases from Indonesia fell 59.3% to 2,819 tonnes. Brazil supplied 2,186 tonnes, an increase of 6.8%, but remained far behind Vietnam in absolute volume.
July value rises despite lower monthly volume
In July 2026, the United States imported about 7,315 tonnes of pepper valued at $57.3 million. Volume fell 3.0% from June, but import value increased 2.1%. Vietnam accounted for 5,898 tonnes, or 80.6% of the monthly total, although its shipments were 6.0% lower than in June.
India supplied 700 tonnes in July, up 7.4% from the previous month. Indonesia shipped 409 tonnes, an increase of 23.2%, while Brazil delivered 136 tonnes, up 63.9%. Compared with July 2025, total US pepper imports rose 6.9%, and imports from Vietnam increased 9.4%.
The US market uses imported Vietnamese black, white and ground pepper in processed food, household cooking and spice blends, Dân Việt reported. Applications include sausages, bacon, savory bread, snacks and canned sauces, as well as BBQ and lemon-pepper seasoning. Black pepper is also a standard tabletop condiment in US homes and restaurants.
Vietnamese exports reach $1.1 billion
Vietnam exported 168,800 tonnes of pepper worth $1.1 billion during the first seven months of 2026, according to General Department of Customs data cited by Dân Việt. Volume increased 16.7% and value rose 11.1% year on year. About 95% of Vietnam’s pepper production is intended for export, making access to large consumer markets central to the sector.
July exports totaled 22,800 tonnes valued at $149.5 million. Compared with June, volume declined 5.3% and value fell 7.0%; compared with July 2025, volume increased 6.6% and value rose 5.3%. The average July export price was $6,543 per tonne, down 1.7% month on month and 1.2% year on year.
Growth was not limited to the United States. During the seven-month period, Vietnamese shipment volume rose 102.3% to Turkey, 84.9% to Thailand, 41.7% to the Netherlands, 36% to Egypt and 21% to the Philippines. At ports in the Ho Chi Minh City area, 500 g/l black pepper was quoted at $5,990 per tonne, 550 g/l black pepper at $6,050, and white pepper at $8,400.
