Market
Dried cloves in Vietnam function as an import-supplied spice commodity that also appears in export trade flows. UN Comtrade-based data (via WITS) shows Vietnam recorded both imports and exports of HS 090700 (cloves) in 2022, indicating an active trading/redistribution role alongside domestic consumption. Key import origins in 2022 included Indonesia, China, and India, while export destinations included the United States, the Netherlands, and Japan. Quality and defect expectations in international trade commonly reference Codex standards for dried cloves and broader Codex guidance on mycotoxin risk management in spices.
Market RoleImporter and exporter (trade/redistribution market)
Domestic RoleCulinary spice and food-ingredient market supplied substantially via imports (HS 090700 trade recorded).
SeasonalityMarket availability is generally year-round and driven by import arrivals and inventory management rather than domestic harvest seasonality.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighNon-compliance with Vietnam plant quarantine and food-safety implementing requirements (including documentation alignment and any applicable quarantine article controls) can trigger clearance delays, re-export/destruction orders, or loss of market access for cloves shipments.Verify whether the consignment is treated as a plant quarantine article under Circular 14/2024/TT-BNNPTNT; align HS classification and intended-use documentation; secure required certificates (e.g., phytosanitary certificate when applicable) and run pre-shipment quality/contaminant checks.
Food Safety MediumMycotoxin contamination risk in spices can lead to rejection, recalls, or buyer delisting; dried cloves require strict drying and moisture control through Vietnam’s storage and repacking steps.Apply Codex-aligned controls (GAP/GMP/GSP) from supplier through warehousing; monitor moisture and storage humidity; require COAs and conduct periodic third-party testing (Codex CXC 78-2017).
Supply Concentration MediumVietnam’s cloves imports (HS 090700) are sourced from a limited set of partner countries in the cited year (e.g., Indonesia, China, India in UN Comtrade/WITS 2022), increasing exposure to origin-specific shocks and price volatility.Qualify alternative origins and suppliers; use staggered procurement and safety stock policies; avoid single-origin dependency in program contracts.
Documentation Gap LowMisalignment between invoice/packing list, HS declaration (whole vs ground), and origin documentation can cause avoidable border holds and demurrage.Run a pre-shipment document reconciliation checklist and ensure consistent product form, HS code, lot IDs, and origin statements across all documents.
Sustainability- Mycotoxin prevention and moisture-control discipline across storage, repacking, and distribution for traded spices (Codex CXC 78-2017).
FAQ
Is Vietnam mainly an importer or an exporter of dried cloves?Vietnam shows both import and export flows for cloves (HS 090700) in UN Comtrade-based data for 2022, indicating it functions as both an importing market and an exporting trade node rather than being only one-sided.
Which countries supplied Vietnam’s clove imports in 2022?In UN Comtrade-based data for 2022 (HS 090700), Vietnam’s recorded import partners included Indonesia, China, India, Sri Lanka, and Japan.
What HS code is commonly used for cloves in trade statistics for Vietnam?The commonly used HS 6-digit code for cloves in the cited trade statistics is HS 090700 (Cloves: whole fruit, cloves and stems).