Vietnam: Pepper prices remain stable as export offers hold firm

• Domestic pepper prices average VND 137,300/kg ($5.29/kg)
• Vietnam’s export prices for black pepper hold at $5,970-6,075/t

Vietnam’s pepper market remained largely stable toward the end of last week, with domestic prices averaging VND 137,300/kg ($5.29/kg). Prices across major producing regions ranged between VND 136,000-140,000/kg ($5.24-5.39/kg), while export offers remained firm. The stable domestic market comes as export volumes continue to increase, with Vietnam’s cumulative pepper shipments reaching 202,414 t by Sept. 15.

Domestic market remains rangebound

Pepper prices in Gia Lai and Dong Nai remained at VND 136,000/kg ($5.24/kg), while Ho Chi Minh City prices stood at VND 136,500/kg ($5.25/kg).

Dak Lak pepper was quoted at VND 138,000/kg ($5.31/kg), while Lam Dong recorded the highest price among the reported regions at VND 140,000/kg ($5.39/kg).

The narrow VND 136,000-140,000/kg range indicates limited movement across major producing regions. Trading activity remained relatively subdued, with market participants showing limited urgency to adjust prices sharply in either direction.

Export volumes continue to rise

Vietnam exported 202,414 t of pepper worth $1.32 billion from January through Sept. 15, up 15.2% in volume and 10.3% in value from the same period a year earlier. The average export price stood at $6,503/t, down 4.2% year on year.

During the first 15 days of September, Vietnam exported 10,915 t of pepper worth around $70 million, up 3.8% from 10,514 t in the corresponding period of August. Stronger shipments to the US and China supported export activity during the period.

For January-August, exports reached 190,153 t, up 14.2% year on year. China’s purchases rose 54.3% to 20,495 t, while US imports increased 24.2% to 44,349 t. In contrast, shipments to India declined 23.6% to 7,914 t during the same period.

Export offers remain firm

Vietnamese export offers for 500 g/l and 550 g/l black pepper remained at $5,970-6,075/t, while ASTA white pepper was offered at $8,450/t.

Competing origins also maintained firm quotations. Indonesian black and white pepper were quoted in the range of $6,828-9,348/t, while Brazilian black pepper was offered at $5,850/t. Malaysian black and white pepper were quoted at $12,150/t and $9,250/t, respectively.

The combination of higher export volumes and a lower average export price indicates that increased shipments have not translated into equivalent growth in export value. For Indian buyers and traders, Vietnam’s export quotations and destination-wise demand remain important indicators for assessing international pepper market direction.

Outlook

Vietnam’s domestic pepper market is expected to remain range-bound in the near term, with export demand providing support while subdued spot trading limits significant price movement. Continued buying from the US and China could support shipments, while weaker India-bound volumes remain a factor to monitor. Export offers are likely to remain closely linked to availability and buying interest across major consuming markets.