Record chili export reached more than 2,600 billion VND

Data from the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) shows that in the first 11 months of the year, Vietnam’s vegetable export turnover reached about 380.9 million USD, an increase of 13.9% over the same period last year. The export structure records a clear differentiation between products, in which chili peppers continue to play a leading role in both scale and growth rate.

The most prominent product is chili with an export turnover of nearly 102 million USD, up 20.1% over the same period and reaching the highest level in many years. Converted at Vietcombank exchange rate, the chili export value is equivalent to nearly 2,650 billion VND. This result helps chili become the largest item in the vegetable group, accounting for nearly 27% of total vegetable export turnover in 11 months.

Vietnamese chili peppers are mainly exported to China, Laos and Korea, besides a small part to the US. Among them, China is the largest consumer market thanks to high demand and seasonal differences. Vietnam has the ability to produce and export chili all year round, while China only has one to two main seasons, causing the country to regularly import to compensate for supply.

Popular chili varieties include chili peppers and chili peppers, which have high spiciness and strong flavor, suitable for processing needs.

According to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, chili is the most popular spice in the vegetable group and brings high economic value. China and Korea especially love Vietnamese chili thanks to its unique spicy flavor, superior to similar products from many other countries, in the context that chili is an important ingredient in dishes such as hot pot and kimchi.

The price of exported chili fluctuates strongly depending on season, quality and market demand. At normal times, the price fluctuates around 45,000-65,000 VND per kg. However, when supply is scarce, prices can increase sharply. By the end of 2025, the price of chili peppers domestically and for export will sometimes reach 120,000-150,000 VND per kg, as traders increase purchases to meet export orders.

Behind chili peppers, other vegetable items are smaller in scale. Sweet potatoes reached 32.5 million USD, up 1.5%; ginger reached 29.4 million USD, an increase of 30.2%. Garlic recorded a high increase of 91.8% but the turnover only reached 21.2 million USD, showing that the scale is still modest. On the other hand, cauliflower reached 16.4 million USD, down 11.1%, while cabbage reached 14.8 million USD, a slight increase of 1%.