Vietnam grows the world's third most expensive spice, exports continue to increase

According to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), cardamom is one of the oldest spices in the world and the third most expensive spice after saffron and vanilla. Vietnam is one of the countries with potential in producing and exporting this precious spice.

According to data from the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA), in the first 3 months of this year alone, Vietnam's cardamom and nutmeg exports continued to increase with 760 tons, up more than 39% over the same period in 2024. Export turnover reached 6.7 million USD, up 37%.

There are currently more than 30 markets importing this product from Vietnam, of which the Netherlands, the US and the UK are the three largest markets. In the first quarter of the year, these three markets continued to import 240 tons, 125 tons and 122 tons respectively. Of which, Nedspice Vietnam Spice Processing Company Limited and Olam Vietnam Company Limited are the two largest exporters, reaching 520 tons and 126 tons.

Previously, in 2024, Vietnam exported 3,402 tons of cardamom - nutmeg with a total export turnover of 27.6 million USD. The Netherlands, the US and Germany were the 3 main importing countries with 950 tons, 518 tons and 369 tons respectively.

In the world, cardamom is grown in India, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania... In addition, this plant also grows wild and is grown in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, China. According to data from Tridge, the wholesale price of cardamom has continuously increased in recent years. In 2024, the wholesale price of this item fluctuated from 18.92-44.05 USD/kg, equivalent to 490,000 VND to 1.2 million VND.

In Vietnam, cardamom grows naturally and is mainly grown in mountainous areas with cool climates such as Cao Bang , Lao Cai... This plant is about 2-3m tall and lives for many years. The roots grow creepingly and the leaves grow in 2 rows.

Nutmeg is a member of the same family as cardamom. It is native to the Maluku Islands (Indonesia) and is widely grown in tropical countries such as Cambodia, India and Malaysia. In our country, the tree is commonly grown in the southern provinces.

Vietnam is one of the major exporters of many popular spices such as pepper, cinnamon, star anise... By March 2023, our country will have 500,000 hectares of spice crops, with hundreds of thousands of small-scale farming households and about 400 businesses in the industry.

Vietnam has been the world leader in pepper production and export for over 20 years. Vietnam's cinnamon exports have also been the world's leading since 2022 and the world's third-largest star anise exporter. Vietnam's pepper and spices are now exported to more than 125 countries, ranking third in global spice exports and dominating many important markets.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/viet-nam-trong-duoc-loai-gia-vi-dat-thu-3-the-gioi-xuat-khau-tiep-tuc-tang-20250513194400761.htm