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According to a correspondent from the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) in Germany, within the framework of Anuga 2025 - the world’s largest food and beverage trade fair, held from October 4 to 8 in Cologne, the Vietnam Pepper and Spices Association (VPSA) coordinated with the Vietnam Trade Office in Germany to organize the Vietnam-Germany Forum on Promoting Sustainable Trade in Agricultural Products and Spices.

Delegates attend the Vietnam-Germany Forum on Promoting Sustainable Trade in Agricultural Products and Spices. (Photo: Thu Hang/VNA)

The forum was held to enhance trade connectivity and expand cooperation between Vietnamese exporters of pepper, spices, and agricultural products and importers, distributors, and partners in Germany and across Europe, with the goal of developing a sustainable, transparent, and responsible supply chain.

Participants included representatives from various enterprises, Hoang Thi Lien, Chair of VPSA; Dang Thi Thanh Phuong, Vietnam’s Trade Counselor in Germany; and Grosse Gudrun, Head of the International Department of the Cologne Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Cologne).

According to Hoang Thi Lien, Chair of VPSA, Germany is the backbone market of Europe and also of Vietnam. In Europe, Vietnamese agricultural products, including spices, mainly enter through two key markets, Germany and the Netherlands, before reaching other European destinations.

Germany offers significant advantages for Vietnamese businesses, as trade activities already operate within the framework of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), a new-generation free trade agreement.

At the forum, Hoang Thi Lien presented an overview of Vietnam’s pepper and spice industry and updated the latest export statistics. She noted that Vietnam’s pepper exports in the first eight months of this year had decreased by 9.4% compared to the same period last year, while cinnamon exports saw an impressive increase of 32%.

Vietnam’s spice exports to Europe overall also declined during the first eight months of this year compared to the same period in 2024, with pepper exports falling by 19.9% and star anise by 36.3%.

In an interview with the VNA correspondent in Germany, Hoang Thi Lien assessed that the global market outlook was not very optimistic due to a general decline in demand worldwide, as major economies such as the United States and China are undergoing macroeconomic adjustments.

However, she expressed optimism about the long-term prospects of the pepper and spice sector. Currently, VPSA is working closely with farmers and exporters to balance the urgent needs of enterprises with advocacy efforts toward the government, seeking stronger legal and institutional support to create a more favorable domestic business environment, reduce barriers, and enable enterprises to focus on exports and expand market share.

She added that at Anuga 2025, VPSA member companies hope to strengthen partnerships with existing customers while finding new potential clients, as Anuga attracts high-quality and reputable buyers.

The forum also highlighted Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable agricultural production, apply traceability technologies, and adopt responsible business practices throughout the pepper and spice value chain, ensuring long-term prosperity and enhancing the global reputation of Vietnamese products.

Grosse Gudrun, Head of the International Department of IHK Cologne, spoke at the Forum. (Photo: Thu Hang/VNA)

Representing IHK Cologne, Gudrun introduced Cologne as Germany’s fourth-largest city and a major hub for international trade, hosting many world-leading exhibitions and trade fairs, including Anuga, which is held every two years.

Gudrun noted that Vietnam and Germany have a long-standing and thriving trade relationship: “Vietnam has been very successful in recent years. The EVFTA between Vietnam and Europe helps deepen our bilateral trade relations,” she said.

She added that many German companies are interested in doing business with Vietnam, not only in consumer goods but also in other sectors such as automotive parts.

Due to recent challenges in the Chinese market, many German companies are seeking alternative markets, and Vietnam has emerged as a highly attractive option. She noted that while some industries may face challenges when doing business with Vietnam, the pepper and spice sector offers excellent opportunities for cooperation.

The forum at Anuga 2025 served as an important bridge in Vietnam-Germany trade cooperation, contributing to promoting Vietnam’s image as a reliable, high-quality, and sustainable supplier of pepper and spices in the global market.

The VPSA business delegation participating in Anuga 2025 included 24 leading Vietnamese companies in the pepper, cinnamon, star anise, ginger, turmeric, chili, and other agricultural product sectors.

At the fair, Vietnamese enterprises showcased products certified to international standards such as HACCP, ISO, BRC, Halal, Kosher, and Organic (EU/USDA), demonstrating their capability to meet the strict requirements of the European market in terms of quality, safety, and traceability.

Anuga 2025, the world’s leading food and beverage trade fair, is taking place from October 4 to 8 in Cologne under the central theme of “Sustainable Growth and Innovation.”

This year’s fair features over 8,000 exhibitors from 110 countries, highlighting the innovation and diversity of the global food industry.

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