Star Anise Prices Hold Steady as Weather Risks Build in Vietnam and India

Spot and offer prices for star anise and anise seeds are broadly stable into late June, with only marginal week‑on‑week moves and no clear directional breakout. Buyers are finding a balanced market: near‑term supply is adequate, but monsoon dynamics in India, heavy rains in Vietnam and lingering uncertainty over Syrian agriculture keep a mild weather‑risk premium in the background. In Vietnam’s Hanoi region, star anise prices are steady alongside a hot, humid and very wet pattern typical for late June, with forecasts calling for continued high temperatures and frequent showers that may disrupt sun‑drying and logistics rather than field conditions. India’s spice export complex is facing softer global demand in FY 2025‑26, which tempers upside despite firm packaged spice demand at home. Syrian anise seed exports remain constrained by structural issues, even as parts of the country report improved grain prospects, limiting downside on FCA offers into Europe.

Prices

Latest offers (as of 26 June 2026) show star anise FOB Vietnam (Hanoi) and India (New Delhi) unchanged versus the prior week, while FCA anise seed of Syrian origin in the Netherlands has inched only fractionally higher. The market is therefore trading in a narrow range, with intra‑month volatility low despite wider noise in the broader spice complex. Nearby demand from food, beverage and pharma users appears adequately covered, keeping spot interest modest.

Supply & Demand

Vietnam remains the key driver for global star anise availability. Late‑June conditions around Hanoi are hot (low to mid‑30s °C) with high humidity and frequent showers, typical of the rainy season. This favours tree growth but can slow drying and increase post‑harvest handling costs. No major storm or flood disruptions are currently indicated for the next few days, so supply flows are expected to remain functional, albeit weather‑dependent.

In India, overall spice exports are under pressure, with FY 2025‑26 shipments reportedly down about 5% in volume and value, mainly due to weakness in chilli and cumin. While star anise is a minor component, this softer external demand environment limits aggressive price hikes and encourages exporters to maintain competitive FOB offers. At the same time, domestic consumption of packaged and value‑added spices continues to expand rapidly, providing a medium‑term floor to raw material demand.

Syrian anise seed supply remains structurally constrained by logistics, financing and sanctions, but recent reports of significantly improved cereal crop prospects in parts of Syria suggest better rainfall and somewhat improving agronomic conditions. This has not yet translated into a notable export surge for anise seeds, leaving FCA prices in Europe broadly supported, with only incremental downside risk in the very short term.

Weather Watch: IN, SY, VN

Vietnam (Hanoi & northern star‑anise belt): Short‑range forecasts for Hanoi point to continued hot and very humid weather, with highs around the mid‑30s °C, frequent showers and thunderstorms over the next few days. This pattern may intermittently delay drying and transport but is not yet severe enough to threaten trees. Weather‑related quality risks (mould, colour) remain the key concern rather than outright yield loss.

India (North India including Delhi region): Recent bulletins from the Indian Met Department show temperatures trending close to late‑June normals around the Delhi region, with partly cloudy skies and moderate winds following early‑month heat episodes. This implies broadly neutral conditions for spice trade logistics, though any delay in monsoon progress into key spice states would become a watchpoint for Q3 demand and sourcing strategies.

Syria (key anise seed districts): While detailed, up‑to‑the‑day weather data is sparse, agricultural reports from southern and northeastern Syria highlight above‑average rainfall and expectations of significantly better grain harvests in 2026. For anise seed, this points to a generally favourable moisture backdrop. However, infrastructure and security constraints remain the dominant limitations on how much of this potential can reach export markets.

Fundamentals & Market Sentiment

Broader spice markets show a mixed picture in June: some Indian spices such as turmeric are soft but stable on adequate supplies and cautious demand, while high‑value items like cardamom are seeing active futures trade but not runaway rallies. For star anise and anise seeds, this translates into a neutral backdrop: users are not under pressure to cover at any price, yet origin sellers are not forced into deep discounts.

Global trade data for HS 090910 (anise & badian) indicate fragmented supply chains and modest but steady demand, particularly from food, beverage and essential‑oil sectors. New product launches featuring star anise notes in beverages and dairy, especially in Asian markets, hint at slow‑burn, structural demand growth rather than short‑term spikes. Against this, cautious macro sentiment and elevated freight and financing costs cap how quickly end‑user buying can accelerate.

Trading Outlook (Next 1–2 Weeks)

• Vietnam star anise (FOB Hanoi): Bias is for a continued sideways to mildly firm market. Heavy but seasonal rains may cause occasional short‑term tightness in top grades if drying or transport is delayed, yet no major supply shock is visible. Buyers can continue hand‑to‑mouth coverage but should avoid assuming unlimited spot liquidity in case of localized weather events.
• India star anise (FOB New Delhi): With exports under broader pressure and domestic demand resilient, we expect stable prices with a slight upward skew if the monsoon stutters or if the rupee weakens. Importers should use dips to extend coverage modestly into Q3, focusing on quality and certification.
• Syrian anise seeds (FCA Europe): FCA offers are likely to remain well supported given ongoing logistical challenges from origin. Any improvement in regional security or freight availability could open limited downside later in the year, but this is unlikely to materialise within the next fortnight.

3‑Day Regional Price Indication (Directional)

• Vietnam (Hanoi, star anise FOB): Prices seen stable to slightly firm over the next three days, tracking weather‑driven logistics more than fundamentals.
• India (New Delhi, star anise FOB): Prices expected to remain flat in EUR terms, with only minor moves linked to FX and freight quotations.
• Syrian origin (anise seeds FCA NL): Market tone steady to fractionally firm, reflecting constrained origin flows and steady European inquiry.