Vietnam supplies more pepper to the world than any other country, and 2025 was its best year on record. Shipments reached about 247,500 tonnes worth US$1.66 billion, passing the previous record from 2016. Strangely, volume was slightly lower than the year before. The surge in value came from price: black pepper averaged about US$6,600 per tonne and white pepper about US$8,600, both up more than 30% on 2024.
For spice importers, food makers and traders, that mix of tight supply and high prices makes data more valuable than ever. This guide explains HS code 0904, the difference between black and white pepper, who buys Vietnamese pepper, how to read grade terms and how to find exporters using Vietnam pepper export data.
Vietnam Pepper Exports: Key Numbers for 2025
| Measure | 2025 figure | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Total exports | About 247,500 tonnes | Slightly lower volume than 2024 |
| Export revenue | Record US$1.66 billion | Up from US$1.32 billion in 2024 |
| Black pepper | About 212,300 tonnes | Around 86% of volume |
| White pepper | About 35,200 tonnes | Around 14% of volume |
| Average black pepper price | About US$6,607 per tonne | Up about 36% on 2024 |
| Average white pepper price | About US$8,629 per tonne | Up about 34% on 2024 |
| Pepper imported for processing | About 42,700 tonnes, US$266 million | Mainly from Brazil, then re-exported |
Vietnam also buys pepper from abroad, mostly from Brazil, to blend, process and re-export. That is why import records for HS 0904 are as interesting as export records.
HS Code 0904: What It Covers
Pepper and other peppers of the genus Piper sit in HS heading 0904, together with dried chilli and other capsicum products. Black and white pepper share the same codes, so the description in the record tells you which is which.
| HS code | What it covers | Typical products |
|---|---|---|
| 0904.11 | Pepper of the genus Piper, neither crushed nor ground | Whole black pepper and white pepper, the main export code |
| 0904.12 | Pepper of the genus Piper, crushed or ground | Ground black pepper, cracked pepper, ground white pepper |
| 0904.21 | Dried chilli and capsicum, neither crushed nor ground | Whole dried chilli, paprika |
| 0904.22 | Chilli and capsicum, crushed or ground | Chilli powder and flakes |
| 0906 | Cinnamon and cinnamon-tree flowers | Related spice, another record export for Vietnam |
Black Pepper vs White Pepper
Both come from the same plant. Black pepper is dried with the outer skin on, while white pepper has the skin removed, which takes more work and gives a milder, cleaner flavour. That extra step is why white pepper sells for about US$2,000 more per tonne.
| Feature | Black pepper | White pepper |
|---|---|---|
| Share of 2025 volume | About 86% | About 14% |
| Average export price | About US$6,607 per tonne | About US$8,629 per tonne |
| Typical buyers | Spice blenders, food makers, retail brands | Sauces, soups, premium and light-coloured foods |
| Common grades in records | 500 g/l, 550 g/l, ASTA | Washed, sterilised, standard |
Who Buys Vietnamese Pepper
The United States is the largest single market, taking about 55,000 tonnes in 2025, or roughly 22% of volume and 25% of value, even though its purchases fell by about a quarter on the year. Germany and India followed by value. Other markets such as the United Arab Emirates, China, Thailand and the United Kingdom matter more than their share suggests: shipments to China jumped 58% in the first eight months of 2025, and Vietnam supplied around 60% of the United Kingdom's pepper imports early in the year.
| Market | 2025 position | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Largest: about 55,082 tonnes, 22.3% of volume, 25.1% of value | Down nearly 24% on 2024, but still number one |
| Germany | About 7.5% of value | A leading European buyer |
| India | About 4.8% of value | Growing demand for imports |
| United Arab Emirates | About 8.9% of volume in the first eleven months | Up about 29% and a re-export hub |
| China | Fast-growing | Up 58% in the first eight months of 2025 |
| United Kingdom, Thailand | Smaller but steady | Vietnam supplies about 60% of UK pepper imports |
Reading Pepper Terms in a Shipment Record
| Term in the record | Meaning | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 500 g/l, 550 g/l | Bulk density in grams per litre | Heavier berries usually sell at a higher price |
| ASTA | A cleanliness and quality standard widely used in spice trading | Often needed for sales to the United States |
| FAQ | Fair average quality | A basic grade with a lower price |
| Steam sterilised | Heat treated to reduce microbes | Required by many food makers |
| Whole, crushed, ground | Form of the product | Decides which HS code applies |
| 25 kg or 50 kg bags | Packing size | Bulk buyers versus smaller traders |
Where Vietnamese Pepper Comes From
Most pepper is grown in the Central Highlands and the south-east of the country, on small farms that sell to local traders and larger processors. Processing plants clean, sort, steam-treat and pack the pepper before export, and many shipments leave through ports in the south. Because supply is concentrated in a few regions, weather and harvest results quickly affect world prices.
How to Find Pepper Exporters in the Records
- Search HS 0904.11 for exports over the last 12 months.
- Add keywords such as "black pepper 550 g/l" or "white pepper" to match your product.
- Group by exporter and rank by tonnes shipped.
- Check the buyers. Exporters selling to the United States and Europe usually meet strict cleanliness standards.
- Compare price per tonne for the same grade and shipping terms.
- Verify before you write using our guide to checking a supplier before you contact them.
What to Watch in 2026
- High prices: tight supply in major producing countries has kept prices elevated, though Indonesia and Brazil have offered some competition.
- Shifting markets: exporters are selling more to the Middle East, India and China to rely less on the United States.
- Imports for processing: imports from Brazil can fill gaps in local supply and add re-export volume.
- Quality demand: buyers are asking for cleaner, sterilised and traceable pepper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HS code for black pepper?
Whole black pepper is classified under 0904.11, and ground or crushed black pepper under 0904.12.
How much pepper does Vietnam export?
About 247,500 tonnes worth a record US$1.66 billion in 2025.
What is the price of Vietnamese black pepper?
The average export price in 2025 was about US$6,607 per tonne. Quotes for 500 g/l and 550 g/l grades were around US$6,600 to 6,800 per tonne in early 2026.
Who is the biggest buyer of Vietnamese pepper?
The United States, followed by Germany, India and the United Arab Emirates.
Search Pepper Export Data
Ready to build a list of pepper exporters? Open Vietnam pepper export data to search HS 0904 by exporter, buyer, grade and price per tonne. If you need help matching a grade to the right record, send us an enquiry.
Disclaimer: Vietnam Import Export Data provides shipment records and trade datasets. We do not buy or sell any products. For purchasing or selling enquiries, please contact the importers and exporters listed in our datasets.
