Vietnam’s pepper exports continued to achieve strong growth in the first seven months of 2026, reaching nearly US$1.1 billion, according to the General Department of Customs. The export value increased by 11.1% year-on-year, highlighting the continued competitiveness of Vietnamese pepper in the global market.

The United States remained the largest market for Vietnam’s pepper, making it a key destination for Vietnamese exporters. At the same time, emerging markets are creating new opportunities for the industry.

Turkey was a notable bright spot, with both export volume and value increasing by more than 100% compared with the same period last year. This strong performance shows the potential for Vietnam’s pepper exports to expand beyond traditional markets and strengthen their presence in new destinations.

The growth also reflects rising international demand for high-quality pepper products. Global buyers are increasingly focused on food safety, traceability, sustainability and consistent product standards.

Vietnam’s pepper industry targets higher standards

Alongside export growth, the industry is working to standardize Vietnam’s pepper value chain, from cultivation and harvesting to processing and export.

A key target is to have 40% of pepper-growing areas meet GAP standards. This initiative is designed to help Vietnamese producers respond to increasingly strict requirements in major international markets.

Meeting GAP standards can also support better traceability, improve production consistency and strengthen the quality of exported pepper. These factors are becoming increasingly important as global markets tighten requirements for agricultural products.

Outlook for Vietnam’s pepper exports

With nearly US$1.1 billion in export value in the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pepper industry is maintaining positive momentum.

The continued expansion of markets such as Turkey, together with strong demand from the United States, provides a solid foundation for future growth. At the same time, improving production standards and strengthening traceability will be essential to maintaining Vietnam’s position in the global pepper market.

The combination of market diversification, GAP-standard cultivation and value-chain standardization is expected to further enhance the competitiveness of Vietnam’s pepper exports in the coming years.

Expanding Vietnam export markets

The strong performance of Vietnam’s pepper exports also reflects the industry’s ability to diversify its international customer base. While the United States continues to lead demand, growing shipments to markets such as Turkey could help reduce reliance on a limited number of destinations and create more stable export opportunities for producers and traders.

Sustainable growth

The industry’s focus on GAP standards is part of a broader effort to build a more sustainable and standardized pepper supply chain. By improving cultivation practices and strengthening cooperation between farmers, processors and exporters, Vietnam’s pepper industry can improve product quality while creating greater value across the supply chain. This approach will be important for supporting long-term export growth and enhancing Vietnam’s position in the global pepper market.

Source: VnEconomy

29/08/2026