Vietnamese tapioca starch exports are affirming their position as the world’s third-largest exporter. They showed an impressive growth in export volumes during the first half of 2025. However, behind the billion-dollar export figures lies a significant challenge: the need for sustainable farming practices. This situation calls for a profound transformation of the cassava industry toward a greener and more circular approach.
Tapioca and tapioca-based products are among 13 Vietnam’s key agricultural exports. Also, they have elevated the country to the third position globally in tapioca exports. In the first half of 2025, Vietnam’s cassava sector achieved very positive results.
Specifically, the total export volume of cassava and cassava products reached 2.3 million tons, generating $711.5 million. Compared to the same period in 2024, this represents an impressive increase of 68.6% in volume and 12.8% in value.
Vietnamese cassava roots
However, it’s worth noting that the average prices of Vietnamese tapioca starch exports declined significantly. They were worth around $304 per ton in the first six months of 2025, a 33.1% decrease compared to the same period last year. This indicates that although total volume and value rose, unit product value is under substantial pressure in the international market.
China remains a leading market for Vietnamese cassava. China accounts for 93.4% of Vietnam’s total export market share in the first half of this year. In the case of dried cassava, China imported 585,918 tons from Vietnam, worth $114.4 million. These figures showed a sharp increase of 115% in volume and 61% in value year-on-year.
Vietnamese tapioca starch exports
Similarly, Vietnam remains the largest supplier of cassava starch to this billion-population market. Vietnam exported over 1.14 million tons in the first five months of 2025. This accounts for nearly half (48.84%) of China’s total cassava starch imports. The volume of tapioca starch exported to China increased by 99%. However, the export value rose by 36.1% compared to the same period last year.
Despite contributing approximately $1.2 billion annually in export value, Vietnam’s cassava industry also faces significant environmental challenges. The widespread and unsustainable cultivation of cassava is leading to severe soil degradation. Notably, cassava is a nutrient-intensive crop and contributes to soil erosion due to its low ground coverage.
In response, a strategic initiative was approved at the end of 2024 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The project on transforming the cassava production system in Vietnam through circular farming and smart cassava starch value chain management.
Vietnamese tapioca starch factory
The project aims to build a robust technical foundation for low-emission cassava production in Vietnam. It consists of four main components:
Selecting carbon-sequestering sources in soil
Establishing carbon measurement techniques at field level
Synthesizing regenerative agricultural practices
Developing strategies for sustainable cassava starch supply
Vietnamese tapioca starch bags
A notable highlight of the project is the integration of carbon measurement methods along with smart monitoring and management of the value chain. It leverages advanced technologies such as sensors, satellite data, and drones to track soil and crop parameters.
This model is expected to be piloted in Tay Ninh province starting in September 2025. This is a region identified as having favorable natural conditions and strong potential for scaling up.
This is more than just a project. Also, it is a concrete initiative that directly supports the sustainable development plan for the cassava sector to 2030. The project is expected to enhance the value and ensure a greener future for Vietnam’s cassava industry.
Vietnamese source: https://thuehaiquan.tapchikinhtetaichinh.vn/viet-nam-dung-thu-3-the-gioi-ve-xuat-khau-san-197672.html