The event was attended by over 100 member companies of the ASTA, the Coffee and Cocoa Association, and import-export businesses of Viet Nam, as well as representatives from the US Chamber of Commerce, the US-ASEAN Business Council, the US Grains Council, and commercial and agricultural attachés from ASEAN embassies in the US.
In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung emphasised that Viet Nam is proud to be the world’s third-largest supplier and processor of spices, with an annual export value exceeding 1 billion USD (2024 data). The spice industry is promoting green production and developing raw material areas that meet the standards of major markets, demonstrating a commitment to food safety and sustainable development.
According to the ambassador, 2025 is especially meaningful as it marks the 30th anniversary of Viet Nam–US diplomatic relations, with trade, including in the spice sector, serving as a key driving force. The US is currently one of the largest markets for Vietnamese spices, with black pepper as a flagship product and growing demand, opening numerous cooperation opportunities for businesses from both countries.
ASTA President Kerri Goad-Berrios emphasised that maintaining close relationships with spice-producing countries is crucial to the success of the US spice industry, and in fact, international cooperation is one of the core goals of the association.
The Vietnamese Trade Office in the US invited American businesses to the 2026 Viet Nam International Spice and Pepper Outlook (VIPO), which is scheduled to be organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in Da Nang from March 3 to 5, 2026.
Viet Nam is the world’s largest exporter of black pepper, accounting for over 50% of global production. Each year, Viet Nam exports approximately 80,000 tonnes to the US, more than 60% of the US black pepper imports. This highlights the significant role of Vietnamese spices, especially black pepper, in the US market.
