India vs Vietnam Black Pepper: What Buyers Compare
Verified Indian black-pepper grade specs and EU border controls, with the Vietnam side kept qualitative where we lack sourced figures.
- EU border check rate, Indian black pepper
- 50% (Salmonella)
- Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 — temporary increase of official controls
Indian black-pepper grades (verified)
The table covers the two headline Indian export grades by bulk density, the spec most buyers write into a contract. Bulk density is a proxy for density, cleanliness and berry maturity.
| Grade | Bulk density | Note |
|---|---|---|
| MG1 (Malabar Garbled) | ~500-550 g/l | Standard garbled export grade |
| TGEB (Tellicherry Garbled Extra Bold) | 550+ g/l | Bold, higher-density selection |
The compliance line that shapes the trade
Indian black pepper sits at a 50% Salmonella check rate at the EU border under Reg. (EU) 2019/1793. That raises the burden of a clean microbiological dossier on every consignment and is a bigger practical differentiator than a headline price.
Where Vietnam sits
Vietnam is a large, price-competitive pepper origin, but we do not hold sourced Vietnamese volume, price or grade-spec figures to state as fact. Buyers comparing the two typically weigh Indian grade specs and traceability against Vietnamese scale. Specifics we cannot verify are listed as gaps below.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between MG1 and TGEB pepper?
MG1 (Malabar Garbled) runs ~500-550 g/l bulk density; TGEB (Tellicherry Garbled Extra Bold) is a bolder selection at 550+ g/l. Higher density signals denser, more mature berries.
Sourcing this? Tell us the spice, grade and destination and we return a documented offer — vetted supply, QC oversight, and the test dossier your market needs.
Start a sourcing enquiry →What this page does not tell you
- Vietnamese pepper figures
- We do not hold verified Vietnamese production volume, export price or grade-spec data, so no numeric Vietnam claim is made.
- Comparative yield and price
- India vs Vietnam per-hectare yield and FOB price spreads are not in our sourced dataset.
Reviewed 16 July 2026.
Sources
- Spices Board of India — Export statistics· Tier 1, retrieved 2026-07-16
- Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 — temporary increase of official controls· Tier 1, retrieved 2026-07-16