MARKET UPDATE: VIETNAM SPICE HARVEST SEASON IS APPROACHING
As the first lunar month begins, the new crop season for several key Vietnamese spices is approaching. For international buyers and spice importers, this period is often one of the most important windows of the year to review sourcing plans for the coming months.
Vietnam remains one of the world’s leading suppliers of spices such as cassia cinnamon, star anise, and black pepper, and seasonal harvest cycles play a major role in shaping supply availability and pricing trends.
With harvest activity gradually starting in different regions, buyers planning purchases for Q1–Q2 shipments may want to review market signals and begin aligning procurement strategies early.
Below is the latest update from Vietnam’s key spice-growing regions.
Cassia cinnamon harvest update
In several major cassia-growing areas such as Yên Bái, Lào Cai, and Quảng Nam, farmers have already started preliminary preparation work for the upcoming harvest.
At this stage, growers are loosening the bark from mature cinnamon trees to prepare for peeling when the harvest officially begins.
Harvest timeline forecast
• Harvest expected to begin gradually within the next 15–30 days
• Peak harvest season: around the 2nd lunar month, which corresponds roughly to mid-March in the solar calendar
During peak harvest, supply volumes usually increase significantly as fresh bark becomes available for processing.
However, this is also the period when export demand typically rises, especially from markets in South Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, where cassia cinnamon is widely used in food processing and spice blending.
Quality outlook for the new crop
Early-season cassia is often considered favorable by many buyers.
After the cooler winter months, cinnamon bark typically matures well, which can support stable oil content and strong aroma—two important quality indicators for products such as:
- Cassia sticks
- Split cassia
- Broken cassia
- Cassia powder
Once fresh supply begins entering the market, price movements will depend largely on two factors:
- Farmer selling behavior – whether growers release stock quickly or hold inventory in expectation of higher prices.
- International buying demand – especially from large importing markets.
For buyers sourcing cassia products, this stage of the season is often the right moment to review volume forecasts and purchasing schedules before demand intensifies.
Star anise spring harvest outlook
In several mountainous areas of Lạng Sơn and Cao Bằng, small quantities of star anise are already becoming available.
Following the Lunar New Year holiday, farmers are expected to begin harvesting the Spring crop, locally known as the “Tứ Quý” crop.
This harvest is one of the two main star anise crops of the year and typically brings several advantages.
Key characteristics of the spring crop
The Spring harvest usually provides:
• Fresh, bright color
• Stable essential oil content
• Consistent pod structure
These characteristics make early-season star anise attractive for both whole spice trade and industrial processing.
Because export demand often increases quickly once the harvest progresses, many experienced buyers prefer to book early shipments during this stage. Early booking can help secure better product selection and reduce the risk of price fluctuations later in the season.
Vietnam black pepper harvest season
In addition to cinnamon and star anise, the main black pepper harvest season in Vietnam is also approaching.
Vietnam is currently the largest exporter of black pepper in the world, supplying a significant share of global demand.
Harvest timeline
The main pepper harvest generally takes place between:
• February and April, depending on the growing region
Key pepper-producing provinces include:
- Đắk Lắk
- Đắk Nông
- Gia Lai
- Bình Phước
- Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu
During the early harvest stage, fresh pepper supply begins entering the market, gradually increasing export availability.
Market outlook
In recent years, global pepper supply has faced several challenges:
- Climate variability affecting yields
- Rising production costs
- Reduced planting areas in some regions
As a result, the pepper market has remained relatively tight, with prices showing stronger support compared to previous years.
The new Vietnamese harvest is expected to bring additional supply to the market, but demand from major importing countries continues to remain stable.
For buyers sourcing Vietnam black pepper, the harvest period typically provides a good opportunity to secure new crop material.
Why timing matters in the spice market
Historically, the period just before and shortly after harvest begins is considered one of the most strategic windows for contract discussions.
During this time:
• New supply starts entering the market
• Quality from fresh crops becomes clearer
• Export demand gradually returns after holiday periods
However, once harvest activity reaches its peak and international buying accelerates, market dynamics can shift quickly. Prices may become more volatile depending on supply flow and purchasing momentum.
For this reason, many experienced importers begin reviewing sourcing strategies before peak harvest arrives.
Planning your Q1–Q2 sourcing strategy
If you are planning to import cassia cinnamon, star anise, or black pepper from Vietnam for the coming months, this is a good time to evaluate:
- Expected purchasing volumes
- Product specifications
- Shipment timelines
- Market pricing trends
Early communication with suppliers can help ensure better coordination between production schedules, quality selection, and logistics planning.
Work with a local sourcing partner in Vietnam
At VietGlobal Export (VGE), we work closely with farmers, processors, and logistics partners across Vietnam’s major spice-growing regions.
Our team regularly monitors harvest activity and market signals to provide buyers with practical insights that support better purchasing decisions.
Whether you are sourcing:
- Cassia cinnamon (sticks, split, broken, powder)
- Star anise
- Vietnam black pepper
We can assist with crop updates, product selection, quality inspection, and export logistics.
For the latest market insights or indicative pricing from Vietnam, feel free to connect with the VGE team.
