Cinnamon and star anise benefit

Currently, Vietnam’s cinnamon output ranks first globally, while star anise ranks second after China. These products bring hundreds of millions of dollars to the country.

Cinnamon – a leap in 20 years

Cinnamon in Vietnam is concentratedly distributed in the North such as Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Bac Kan, Quang Ninh, Thai Nguyen… and some central provinces such as Quang Nam, Quang Ngai. The area of cinnamon increased strongly, from 13,863 hectares in 2000 to 26,288 hectares in 2005 and 58,739 hectares in 2010, more than 4 times higher.

By 2015, the cinnamon area had increased slowly but remained high, with an increase rate of 57.3%, reaching 92,375 hectares. In the following years, farmers continued to expand the cinnamon growing area but the pace continued to slow down.

From 2018 onwards, cinnamon prices have continuously increased, stimulating farmers to expand cinnamon growing areas. In 2018, the cinnamon area nationwide reached 109,368 hectares, in 2020 it increased to 122,200 hectares, in 2021 it reached 138,800 hectares, in 2022 it reached 148,790 hectares and in 2023 it reached 186,000 hectares. Of which, Yen Bai province accounts for 47.8% and Lao Cai accounts for 33.3%.

This is the hottest growth period of the cinnamon industry and makes Vietnam the country with the largest cinnamon area in the world. Also during this period, cinnamon output reached 4,852 tons in 2000, increasing to 21,172 tons in 2010, 44,000 tons in 2020, 50,000 tons in 2021, 53,225 tons in 2022 and the highest level of about 72,000 tons in 2023.

Since 2021, Vietnam has become the world’s leading country in cinnamon export. In 2023, Vietnam will account for about 34.4% of the market share, with the main consuming markets being India, China, Bangladesh, the United States…

Statistics from the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA), in 2023, Vietnam exported 89,383 tons of cinnamon, total export turnover reached US$ 260.9 million, an increase of 14.6% in volume and but a decrease 10.7% in value compared to 2022. The average export price of cinnamon in 2023 reached US$ 2,918/ton, down 22.1% compared to last year.

India is the main export market of Vietnamese cinnamon, accounting for 42.6% reaching 38,038 tons, up 14% over the previous year. Next is the US market accounting for 11.4%, reaching 10,163 tons, an increase of 7%; Bangladesh accounted for 6.2% reaching 5,564 tons, an increase of 32.1%…

Before 2018, cinnamon prices continuously increased, creating conditions for farmers to expand their areas. However, in the last 2 years, cinnamon prices have decreased due to abundant supply from China and Vietnam, leading to a decrease in export prices.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and VPSA have continuously advised people not to expand cinnamon areas, but to focus on improving quality, especially controlling water sources to avoid heavy metal residues as well as prevent pests. eat leaves.

Star anise – the main production area Lang Son

Vietnam’s star anise output ranks second in the world, after China, with an estimated annual output of 22,000 tons on a growing area of about 55,000 hectares. Of which, Lang Son accounts for 72.7% of the area.

Star anise is a plant with high economic value, producing products that have been widely used in many fields such as medicine, flavoring, cuisine and handicrafts… with a wide consumer market. , including the United States, Europe, India, China, Japan and some Southeast Asian countries.

In Vietnam, star anise can only grow well and produce high yields when grown in areas with altitudes from 300 – 700m above sea level, with temperate, cool, and humid climates such as Lang Son and Cao Bang. Bang, Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen and Quang Ninh.

Thanks to nature’s favorable climate and soil characteristics, star anise Lang Son is still considered the best quality product with high essential oil content. Lang Son’s annual star anise harvest accounts for 87.5% of the national output.

In 2023, Vietnam exported 16,136 tons of star anise, total export turnover reached US$ 83 million. Compared to the same period last year, the export volume increased by 26.0%. The average export price reached US$ 6,376/ton, down 8% compared to 2022.

India and China are the two main export markets of Vietnamese star anise, reaching 7,860 tons and 4,116 tons, respectively, accounting for 48.7% and 25.5% of the export market share.