Vietnam is the leading pepper exporter in the world. Vietnamese pepper has a characteristic spicy taste, no pesticides or genetically modified organism (GMO). Information below is full details of Vietnam black pepper quality standards. This information helps importers from all over the world get aware of the specifications required for black pepper before deciding to import.
ORIGIN OF BLACK PEPPER
Vietnam Pepper was known for the first time through the French growing them in VIetnam in the 17th century. Thanks to the suitable soil to grow high quality pepper, so far pepper has been widely grown in many other provinces in Vietnam. Currently, Vietnam has become the largest pepper producer and exporter in the world
BLACK PEPPER – KING OF SPICES
Pepper is considered as the King of spices when it accounts for a quarter of the world spice trading market. Tunisia is the leading country in pepper consumption with nearly 250g/person per year, while Americans consume about 125g/person per year.
TYPES OF BLACK PEPPER
WHOLE BLACK PEPPER
Whole black pepper includes 2 main types: black pepper FAQ and black pepper MC:
- Black pepper FAQ is the type of pepper that is usually only processed simply: separating branches, impurities (soil, stones), not separating large and small seeds, not washed.

- Black pepper MC, also known as ASTA standard, is pepper that has been separated from branches, impurities and cleaned with a machine.
Whole Black Pepper is also classified according to the weight of the pepper. For example, pepper 500 gram/l, pepper 550 gram/l, or pepper with a diameter of 5mm



GROUND BLACK PEPPER
Ground black pepper is produced from whole black pepper. To be able to meet black pepper quality standards for export, AGRIKIM manufacturer will use high-density whole black pepper ingredients to grind into high-quality ground black pepper, and strong in flavor
Black pepper ground is classified according to mesh size, for example mesh 18, mesh 32, mesh 60,…


For more details about black pepper price AGRIKIM is supplying: https://agrikim.com/black-pepper-wholesale-price/
BLACK PEPPER QUALITY STANDARDS
Below are the black pepper specifications for each type:
Physical standards
CRITERION | SPECIFICATIONS | ||
WHOLE BLACK PEPPER FAQ | WHOLE BLACK PEPPER MACHINE CLEAN | GROUND BLACK PEPPER | |
Admixture | 1% max | 0.2% max | 0.2% max |
Light Berries | 10% max | 2% max | – |
Broken | 4% max | 2% max | – |
Chemical standards
CRITERION | SPECIFICATIONS | ||
WHOLE BLACK PEPPER FAQ | WHOLE BLACK PEPPER MACHINE CLEAN | GROUND BLACK PEPPER | |
Moisture | 13.5% max | 12.5%max | 12% max |
Total ash | 7% max | 6% max | 6% max |
Volatile oil | 2% min | 2% min | 1% min |
Piperine | 4% min | 4% min | 4% min |
Aflatoxin B1 | – | – | 5ppb max |
Aflatoxin Total (B1, B2, G1, G2) | – | – | 10ppb max |
Microbiological standards
CRITERION | SPECIFICATIONS | ||
WHOLE BLACK PEPPER FAQ | WHOLE BLACK PEPPER MACHINE CLEAN | GROUND BLACK PEPPER | |
TPC | – | – | 50.000cfu/g |
Salmonella | Negative | Negative | Negative |
E.Coli | Negative | Negative | Negative |
Coliforms | 100cfu/g max | 100cfu/g max | 100cfu/g max |
Yeast & Mold | 100cfu/g max | 100cfu/g max | 100cfu/g max |
Flavor standard
Ground black pepper must have a spicy smell of black pepper, free from odors and strange tastes.
Black pepper should be free from mold, insects visible to the naked eyes (including magnifying glass).
Packaging – Transportation and Storage standards
- Packaging: Whole black Pepper and ground black pepper are stored in clean, dry packaging, protecting the product from moisture absorption or loss of volatiles. Packaging must be new, durable, ensuring sea transportation after many times of transshipment. The top of the packaging should be secured with good quality thread
- Preservation: Preserve pepper at dry, clean and cool place
- Container and transportation: Containers must be new, clean, sturdy, bare, not patched, baited, not damp and free from odors, rot, or unpleasant odors, do not affect the quality of the product. When closed the door does not glow.
Some Sheet forms of Black Pepper Quality Standards from last shipments
Black pepper shipments exported from AGRIKIM manufacturer will always be provided with a SGS certificate. SGS is a reliable inspection unit who will inspect the black pepper specifications before exporting to ensure that the quality of pepper supplied by AGRIKIM meets international black pepper quality standards.

Specifications that SGS conducts inspection will be required by the clients. clients request to verify what specifications of black pepper, AGRIKIM will conduct inspection of that specifications

If you would like to know more information about black pepper, feel free to let me know via whatsapp or email
Whatsapp: +84 363565928 – Mr. Adam (Manager)
Email: adam.agrikim@gmail.com
AGRIKIM IMPORT & EXPORT JOINT STOCK COMPANY