Vietnam Star Anise FOB Prices Hold Firm on Stable Supply

Vietnamese star anise prices in Hanoi remain stable, with both conventional and organic FOB quotes unchanged over the past week, reflecting comfortable spot supply and steady but unspectacular export demand. The market is moving sideways as exporters report balanced nearby availability and no fresh demand shock from major buyers such as China and India. Recent provincial updates from Lang Son indicate that agriculture and forestry output, including perennial spices, is broadly on track for 2026, suggesting no significant weather- or disease-related disruptions to star anise orchards. Short‑term weather forecasts show only scattered showers and typical late‑September temperatures in northern growing areas, conditions that support fieldwork and post‑harvest handling rather than creating acute quality risks. Against this backdrop, traders focus on execution of existing contracts while watching closely for any Q4 demand acceleration from key importers.

Prices

FOB Hanoi quotations for Vietnamese star anise are unchanged versus mid‑September. Conventional star anise FOB Hanoi is currently at 7.65 EUR/kg FOB, flat compared with the previous quotation. Organic star anise FOB Hanoi stands at 6.85 EUR/kg FOB, also unchanged on the week after a marginal uptick from early‑September levels reported in mid‑month indications. This stability aligns with external market commentary that spot Vietnamese star anise prices are holding firm with only a very slight upward bias for organic grades.

Supply & Demand

Lang Son and neighboring northern provinces, which host the bulk of Vietnam’s star anise area, report generally stable agricultural and forestry production for the first nine months of 2026, implying normal operations in key spice orchards with no large‑scale output loss. Export statistics for July 2026 show Vietnam shipped around 1.2 thousand tons of star anise, down month‑on‑month but almost doubling versus July 2025, highlighting a solid medium‑term demand trend despite short‑term volatility.

Macro‑trade data for the first eight months of 2026 confirm robust overall Vietnamese export growth, especially toward China and other key partners, underscoring a generally supportive external demand environment for spices. However, there is no evidence of an abrupt new demand surge for star anise in the last few days, which helps explain the current flat price structure. Exporters report that buying interest is focused on replenishing working stocks rather than speculative accumulation, keeping nearby supply–demand broadly balanced.

Weather & Crop Conditions (VN)

Short‑term forecasts for Lang Son, a core star anise region, point to typical late‑September conditions with warm temperatures and light, scattered showers. For 27–29 September 2026, daytime highs are expected around the upper 20s to low 30s °C with brief periods of drizzle or passing showers and high humidity, but no severe storms or extreme rainfall.

These patterns are broadly in line with recent weeks, where historical data show a mix of warm days and moderate precipitation without major anomalies. Such weather is generally favorable for ongoing harvest and drying activities: intermittent light rain can slow sun‑drying temporarily, but the absence of strong, prolonged downpours or typhoons reduces the risk of quality downgrades or logistical disruption in the near term.

Fundamentals & Market Drivers

Structurally, Vietnam remains one of the world’s leading star anise producers, with Lang Son and neighboring provinces accounting for a majority of national output and forming a reliable export base. The presence of several large, consistently active exporters underscores a relatively well‑organized supply chain capable of responding quickly to changes in overseas demand.

On the demand side, medium‑term data point to strong imports by India, China and other Asian markets, with additional pull from Europe and North America for both culinary and industrial uses. While this broader backdrop remains supportive, the absence of fresh short‑dated policy shocks or logistics bottlenecks over the last few days limits near‑term volatility. Combined with stable weather and on‑track provincial output, this leaves the current market in a fundamentally balanced state, reflected in today’s flat FOB quotations.

Trading Outlook

• For buyers: With conventional at 7.65 EUR/kg FOB Hanoi and organic at 6.85 EUR/kg FOB Hanoi, and no immediate weather or demand shock in sight, short‑term procurement can continue on a hand‑to‑mouth basis. Consider modest forward coverage for Q4 if signs of stronger Chinese or Indian buying emerge in October.
• For sellers: Given firm but not overheated demand and stable fundamentals, holding near current offer levels appears justified. Discounts to move volume quickly seem unnecessary unless export inquiries soften unexpectedly in the coming weeks.
• For traders: Sideways price action and balanced nearby supply argue for cautious positioning. Focus on arbitrage between grades and destinations rather than directional bets until clearer signals of a demand acceleration or weather‑related supply issue appear.

3‑Day Regional Directional View (VN)

• Hanoi FOB (all grades): Stable over the next three days, with quotes expected to remain around current levels as weather stays seasonally normal and export inquiry is steady but not surging.
• Northern VN growing areas (Lang Son/Cao Bang): Light showers and warm temperatures may cause minor day‑to‑day fluctuations in spot availability, but no significant impact on prices is anticipated in the immediate term.