The cinnamon stick is a popular spice that is used for many purposes in our daily life and is also considered a very potential industry. In this writing, we will give you all the most useful information about the cinnamon stick, which will help you not only understand it better but also get so many surprising and helpful suggestions
Contents
- 1 An overview of cinnamon stick
- 2 Cinnamon stick in our daily lives
- 3 Comparing stick cinnamon with tube and cigarette cinnamon
- 4 Average price and factors affecting the price of cinnamon stick
- 5 How to find a reliable cinnamon stick supplier?
- 5.1 Step 1: Research carefully to find the list of prestigious cinnamon stick supplier
- 5.2 Step 2: Check the information of the potential cinnamon stick suppliers to avoid unnecessary risks:
- 5.3 Step 3: Contact and ask for more information
- 5.4 Step 4: Narrow down the list of suitable cinnamon stick suppliers
- 5.5 Step 5: Negotiate to get better terms
- 6 Import cinnamon sticks from Vietnam
- 7 Top cinnamon stick exporter countries in the world
- 8 Top 4 best exporters of cinnamon stick
An overview of cinnamon stick
Here is some basic information you should know about cinnamon stick:
Definition and features of Cinnamon stick
The cinnamon stick is one type of cinnamon, extracted from the inner bark of several tree species belonging to the genus Cinnamomum.
- For different geography and planting methods, the cinnamon stick has various colors, ranging from yellowish-brown (Ceylon) and reddish-brown (Indonesian and Vietnamese) to darker brown (Chinese). It is also featured with pungent (spicy), woody, astringent (drying), and some sweet and bitter flavor.
- Cinnamon sticks will have a better quality if their trees are planted from 8 years to over. And farmers usually harvest cinnamon stick for 2 main reasons: in spring (February and March) and Fall (August and September)
- Characterized by its sweet and warm taste, the cinnamon stick is the second most common spice in the regions of Europe and America.
The process of producing cinnamon stick
The cinnamon stick is produced commonly by 4 steps as below:
The process of producing cinnamon sticks
- Step 1: Collect fresh cinnamon (for the best quality, cinnamon trees should be grown for more than 12 years)
- Step 2: Shave/Remove the cinnamon bark (revealing the soft inner shell)
- Step 3: Wash and cut cinnamon bark into small pieces (ensuring that it is not broken apart or torn; and each piece should have a width of 3.3 – 3.7 cm, length from 15-40 cm)
- Step 4: Dry cinnamon in the sun or with a drying system, until they curl up into cinnamon sticks (the ideal thickness of their skins should be from 1mm to 2 mm).
Types of cinnamon stick
Similar to general cinnamon, there are many types of cinnamon sticks, but Cassia and Ceylon are the two most common cinnamon sticks that are traded in the market now. To tell these two types of cinnamon stick apart, we can base on some factors, such as the way to harvest them, their taste, flavor, chemical compounds that are found within them, or the easiest way is their physical appearance.
While Ceylon cinnamon stick has a tan brown color, the Cassia cinnamon stick is darker and can be recognized by its reddish or dark brown color. Cassia is also rougher in texture, and rolls in thicker but has fewer layers compared to Ceylon (Ceylon cinnamon stick is thin, papery, and curls into multiple layers).
Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon stick in comparison
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Cassia cinnamon stick
When it comes to price, Cassia cinnamon stick is much more affordable and so is used more commonly, especially in commerce, than Ceylon cinnamon stick. Cassia has a spicy-sweet taste, and strong and warm aroma, and leaves an enticing flavor after using them.
There are three specific types of Cassia, including Saigon (Viet Nam), Indonesian, and Chinese cinnamon stick with different levels of taste and flavor, but the Saigon Cassia cinnamon stick from Vietnam is usually appreciated for its high quality. Vietnam is also one of the four biggest cinnamon exporters in the world, accounting for nearly 24% of global cinnamon exporting volume.
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Ceylon cinnamon stick
Because Ceylon cinnamon stick is rare – up to 85% of its global supply is just only provided by Sri Lanka, with its extremely mild and delicate flavor and aroma, this type is of course much more expensive than Cassia cinnamon stick.
Characterized by subtle and almost floral notes in it, the Ceylon cinnamon stick is used for some special use and for upper high-income consumers.
The economic value of cinnamon stick
With the above practical values, it is no surprise that traders and businesses regard cinnamon sticks as a highly profitable good. Currently, the price for cinnamon stick is estimated at almost $5000 per ton and the cinnamon market is forecast to continue growing. A report by Mordor Intelligence stated that its volume, by 2024, will reach 0.25 million metric tons, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.21%.
The economic value of cinnamon stick
This prediction proves that cinnamon stick is an attractive investment for any business and it will remain a key export product of the international market in the future.
Cinnamon stick in our daily lives
Cinnamon sticks are prevalent with a growing number of consumers. It makes a great condiment and enhances our physical and mental well-being. Therefore, it is becoming an attractive option for traders and retailers.
How to use cinnamon stick
The cinnamon stick is a flavoring component in both savory and sweet dishes of many cuisines. Famous foods that rely on the flavor of cinnamon range from Scandinavian pastries, Indian curries, Mexican spice mixes, and Vietnamese pho. Apple pies and snickerdoodles are other dishes that involve the use of cinnamon sticks.
Here are some creative ways people integrate cinnamon stick recipe in their foods and drinks:
- Use a cinnamon stick as a stirring stick in tea, coffee, and cocktails
- Break down a cinnamon stick and infuse it in a coffee or teapot
- Put a cinnamon stick into a bowl of oatmeal
- Add flavor to meat and vegetable broth with a cinnamon stick
- Marinate meat with a cinnamon stick, or include it when cooking meat with a slow cooker
The common ways cinnamon stick is used in cooking
Cinnamon sticks, as we can see, are extremely useful in cooking. Its strong and warm flavor complements different dishes and helps them become much more enjoyable.
The impressive health benefits of stick cinnamon
Cinnamaldehyde creates a unique smell and flavor for cinnamon sticks, and it is believed to be highly beneficial for consumers’ health.
- Antimicrobial and improve oral health: Because of its rich cinnamaldehyde, which is responsible for its distinctive smell and its unique flavor, the cinnamon stick can exterminate over 15 varieties of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. It, therefore, reduces infection and improves bad breath.
- Support gut health: Cinnamon sticks have prebiotic properties, so they will support digestive health and at the same time, reduce many digestive issues.
- Lower blood sugar levels while increasing insulin sensitivity.
- Reduce cholesterol levels, and blood pressure, and therefore cinnamon stick can help reduce the risk of heart diseases.
- Be beneficial for the older: prevent the risk of some aging brain diseases like Alzheimer’s…
- Cinnamon sticks are loaded with antioxidants that can have anti-inflammatory effects.
- A small dose of cinnamon is beneficial for people having digestive problems, according to researchers at RMIT University School of Engineering, Australia.
The impressive health benefits of stick cinnamon
Due to their impressive capability in improving our health, cinnamon sticks have become an essential item in almost every household.
Comparing stick cinnamon with tube and cigarette cinnamon
Similar to other cinnamon products, cinnamon stick is characterized by its strong, warm, and spicy cinnamon taste, with a citrusy note. However, due to their similar shapes, cinnamon stick can be confused with cinnamon tubes and cigarettes. These products can be distinguished by their lengths. This difference mostly stems from the varying demands in terms of appearances by different importing markets.
| Type | Lengths |
| Cinnamon stick | Typically from 15 to 20 centimeters (up to 30-40cm) |
| Cinnamon tube | 40 to 45 centimeters |
| Cinnamon cigarette | 8 to 10 centimeters |
Comparing stick cinnamon with tube and cigarette cinnamon
It is important to note that a cinnamon stick has a slightly lower essential oil content than a tube, so its price is also a bit cheaper. All three products are imported by a lot of regions. The USA, European countries, as well as Japan and South Korea, have strict demands concerning product quality and certificates. Meanwhile, countries in the Middle East and Africa impose fewer standards. In return, they are more concerned with buying at a low price.
Average price and factors affecting the price of cinnamon stick
Cinnamon is a commodity that is not under pressure to harvest seasonally. When the price is low, farmers do not harvest, the cinnamon tree still grows and harvests next year, the next crop …, so the price of the cinnamon stick is relatively stable. In fact, the cinnamon stick’s price can fluctuate but its range is not too high.
However, to decide how much 1 kg cinnamon stick costs, it must depend on some factors, such as its form of selling (retail or wholesale), transportation cost, and especially cinnamon stick quality.
Here is the reference price for the best quality Cassia cinnamon stick in Vietnam:
| Type | Shipping container size | Price/kg |
| Cinnamon stick | cont 20ft | 5.860 USD/kg |
| cont 40ft | 5.670 USD/kg | |
| Cigarette cinnamon | cont 20ft | 5.860 USD/kg |
| cont 40ft | 5.670 USD/kg | |
| Split cinnamon | cont 20ft | 3.480 USD/kg |
| cont 40ft | 3.400 USD/kg | |
| Broken cinnamon | cont 20ft | 2.500 USD/kg |
| cont 40ft | 2.400 USD/kg |
Source: K-Agriculture
The cinnamon stick is considered high quality if it meets the following criteria:
- Moisture: 12%
- Essential oil content: 2-4%
- Length: 25-20 cm
- Packing: Carton
- Bark Thickness: 2-3mm
- Skin: Shaved
Depending on purposes and the levels of use, cinnamon stick from each country will have their own advantages and prominent features, but in general, the Vietnamese cinnamon stick is seen as one of the most suitable products that can afford both quality and price requirements.
Vietnamese cinnamon stick is appreciated for its high quality and reasonable price
- When it comes to good quality cinnamon sticks, because of their responsibility for a spicy and sweet aroma, “cinnamaldehyde” is thought of as one of the most important factors. Of the four biggest cinnamon stick exporters, Vietnamese and Chinese cinnamon stick typically have the highest amount of cinnamaldehyde as well as spicy flavor. But in comparison to Vietnam, the cinnamon stick grown in China is usually bitter-tasting and much more astringent, and therefore its quality is also lower than the Vietnamese cinnamon stick.
- Cinnamon stick from Indonesia- is quite good, but it has quite low oil essential content (just 0.215%), while the standard for a really good cinnamon stick should be around 2% to make it more aromatic, has a stronger spicy taste, and sweeter flavor. On the other hand, Vietnamese cinnamon sticks can contain up to 3-4%, double or even triple times oil essential higher than its Cassia producer counterparts like China and Indonesia.
- Because of its variety and high quality, the price of cinnamon sticks is more expensive than in Indonesia and China. However, compared to the unique flavor but rare of Sri Lanka’s cinnamon stick, Vietnamese prices are still up to 50% cheaper.
To summarize, you can look at the table “Comparison among top 4 cinnamon stick exporter countries in the world” below:
| Other Names | Cassia cinnamon | Vietnamese Cinnamon | Korintjie Cinnamon | Ceylon Cinnamon |
| Scientific Name | Normal/Regular cinnamon; Chinese cinnamon | Saigon cinnamon; Vietnamese cassia | Indonesian cinnamon; Padang cassia | True cinnamon; Mexican cinnamon |
| Primary Origin | China | Vietnam | Indonesia | Sri Lanka |
| Taste | Spicy and bitter | Spicy and sweet | Spicy | Mildly sweet |
| Color | Dark reddish-brown | Dark reddish-brown | Dark reddish-brown | Light reddish-brown |
| Price | Cheap | Cheap to moderate (better grades cost more) | Cheap | Expensive |
| Coumarin Content | 0.031% (0.31g/kg) | 0.697% (0.697g/kg) | 0.215% (0.215g/kg) | 0.0017% (0.0017g/kg) |
So:
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- If your priority is cheap price, you can consider buying cinnamon sticks from China or Indonesia.
- If you want really high quality and special flavor, Sri Lanka with the famous Ceylon cinnamon stick is a good idea.
- If you want to buy the type with high quality but at a moderate price, the Vietnamese cinnamon stick is reasonable.
How to find a reliable cinnamon stick supplier?
Finding a credible supplier is very vital to keeping your business competitive and profitable. But there are thousands of cinnamon stick suppliers out there, who is the one we can work with?
Finding a credible stick cinnamon supplier is so important
So here are some useful suggestions that will help you:
Step 1: Research carefully to find the list of prestigious cinnamon stick supplier
Nowadays, it is much easier to find a prestigious cinnamon supplier who suits your business with an Internet connection only. There are many tools and platforms you can use for searching, but in B2B, it is more common to:
- Use Google: you can get amazing lists of top cinnamon stick suppliers from reputable websites, such as go4WorldBusiness, World’s Top Exports, or the Government office.
- Join Facebook groups, such as (1) Spices Importers & Exporters; (2) Spices – Traders Exporters; (3) Spices market... Here you can approach a lot of cinnamon stick suppliers and factories from all over the world because Facebook seems like a must-have and one of the most important platforms for many agriculture companies.
- Linkedin groups are also a good idea. The number of cinnamon stick suppliers here is not as diversified as Facebook, but it is more professional. Here are some popular Linkedin groups: (1) Spices, Herbs, Tea, Coffee, Essential Oil & Oleoresin-FPO, Mfr, Importer & Exporter – # 1 World Group; (2) Spice and herbs traders and professionals; (3) Spices Export and Import…
Step 2: Check the information of the potential cinnamon stick suppliers to avoid unnecessary risks:
- Check their websites: Are they professional in organizing their information and content? (Pay attention to their introduction – About us)
- Check the other information: email, phone number, company address (google Maps, Yandex, Baidu map), certificate…is it real?
- You also might try checking the Domain of these cinnamon stick supplier’s website (IP checker) to know how long these suppliers have been on the web (But remember that time on the website is not necessarily synonym with a supplier’s experience, because, in the agriculture field, many traditional companies have just gone on the Internet for the first time)
- Small trick: You can use Google lens to check if their pictures are not copied from the internet.
Step 3: Contact and ask for more information
- Chat with cinnamon stick suppliers on their website. email or you can call them directly to ask for more detailed information about cinnamon stick (types, qualities, features,…), prices, discounts, methods, and shipping charges…
- It is better to call or video call to further evaluate the professionalism and credibility of the suppliers
Step 4: Narrow down the list of suitable cinnamon stick suppliers
- After gathering the necessary information, score suppliers with criteria and weights that are valuable to your business.
- Select 4-5 potential suppliers to continue to discuss more deeply
Step 5: Negotiate to get better terms
- Negotiate on terms: price, discount, product certificate, payment method and shipping to get the best deal
- Choose the best suitable cinnamon stick suppliers to work with (should be 2-3 to avoid the risks)
Import cinnamon sticks from Vietnam
Vietnam ranks first place in exporting cinnamon and is famous for high-quality cinnamon sticks but at a reasonable price, so its cinnamon stick is so popular in large markets like India, the USA, Indonesia, and UAE.
K-Agriculture Factory has a long experience in exporting cinnamon sticks internationally
If you are looking for importing the cinnamon sticks from VietNam, here is some useful information you should pay attention to:
- Import tariff: In 2018, the average tariff for Vietnam in Cinnamon was 18.6%. However, Vietnam is a very open country and has relationships with almost all countries all over the world (by early 2022, it has 15 FTAs active and 2 FTAs under negotiation). So you should check import tariffs carefully because, for many countries, the cinnamon stick import tax from Vietnam is very low.
- Methods of payment: Depending on your agreements with the cinnamon stick supplier, you can use different methods of payment. But T/T payment and LC irrevocable at sight are mostly chosen by Vietnamese exporters.
- Transportation: Because Vietnam is an ocean-facing country, it is very convenient and more economical to import cinnamon sticks via the ocean. Vietnamese suppliers usually prefer CIF or FOB terms in shipping methods
- Documents: You need to require the seller to prepare and provides some very important documents when importing cinnamon stick, such as:
+ Business registration of export enterprises
+ Tax code certification
+ Export customs declarations
+ Bill of lading
+ Commercial contract
+ Packing list
+ Container handover minutes
+ Certificate of quality, certificate of product origin
+ Phytosanitary Certificate
+ Certificate of fumigation
Top cinnamon stick exporter countries in the world
As said above, Cinnamon stick is quite a special spice that is only grown in a few regions with suitable natural conditions in the world, such as Sri Lanka, Burma, India, or some countries in South America and West Indies.
Four countries including Vietnam, China, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia combined, however, have accounted for approximately 90% of the world’s cinnamon stick export total. According to OEC, in 2020, Vietnam will be the leading cinnamon stick exporter with 27%, followed by Sri Lanka (23.6%), China (19.4%), and Indonesia (15.1%) respectively.
Exporters of Cinnamon 2020 Source oec.world
- Indonesia is the largest cinnamon producer in the world with over 1,021 thousand metric tons of cinnamon every year (~40% total of the world). Most Indonesian cinnamon sticks are grown on the slopes of high volcanoes and have a spicy taste while containing a moderate amount of oil. Indonesian cinnamon sticks are usually marked by their balanced warm and woody flavor, but their spicy level is quite loư.
- China is also famous as one of the countries with the fastest Cassia cinnamon stick export growth. However, compared to other countries, the Chinese cinnamon stick is not appreciated for its quality, oil level, and its flavor. Its cinnamon stick has a strong and bitter flavor, so it is not favored in many countries and is mainly used for medical products in China.
- Viet Nam is the biggest cinnamon exporter in the world. It is famous for the Saigon Cassia cinnamon stick, which tastes like the normal other Cassia but is stronger, intensely fragrant, and more flavorful than Chinese and Indonesian cinnamon stick. Because its bark contains more cinnamaldehyde – the essential oil creating the sweet, woody, so Vietnamese cinnamon stick has an almost spicy and woody flavor.
- Sri Lanka is the largest Ceylon cinnamon stick, which has a very special flavor as indicated above: mild spiciness and surprising unique flavors (fruity, flora, and clove-like).
Top 4 best exporters of cinnamon stick
Here we pick a list of the 4 best and most famous cinnamon stick suppliers from Vietnam, Indonesia, China, and Sri Lanka.
K-Agriculture Factory (Vietnam)
K-Agriculture is one of the best Vietnamese companies in providing agricultural products. Prominent with modern manufacturing lines, long experience in exporting to the international market, and a professional workforce, they are supplying cinnamon sticks as well as a variety of other agricultural products to many countries, including the USA, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Being a giant in trading cinnamon products internationally in Vietnam – the biggest broken cinnamon, split cinnamon and cinnamon stick exporter since 1996, K-agriculture is proud to bring buyers broken cinnamon with uniform quality standards and affordable prices.
K-Agriculture is one of the best cinnamon stick exporters in Vietnam
K-Agriculture is a loyal vendor of thousands of B2B partners all over the world.
Samples: Send via Express (DHL, VPS, FedEx,..)
Order: By Air or By Sea based on INCOTERM 2010
Website: k-agriculture.com
WhatsApp: +84855555837 (Ms. Kris)
Email: info@k-agriculture.com
CV Kerinci Argo (Indonesia)
This is a family-owned business founded in 1958 and appreciated for its experience as well as its sustainable trade. Currently, CV Kerinci Argo has been expanding into the USA and Asia markets.
Contact information:
WhatsApp:+628112060346
Email: kerinciagro@kerinciagro.co.id
Jining Sunagro Trad (China)
Jining Sunagro Trad is one of the most prestigious cinnamon exporters in China. They export for both domestic use and foreign markets, such as Africa and the Middle East, and are well known for their ability to supply a large volume of cinnamon sticks.
Contact information:
Mobile phone: +8613853773537
Email: sunagro@sunagro-food.com
Virgin Cinnamon (Sri Lanka)
This is one of the largest cinnamon stick suppliers in Sri Lanka and is most famous for its special Ceylon cinnamon stick products. They are appreciated by their clients from the USA and Europe for the high quality and packaging, and good product quality control.
Contact information:
Mobile : +94 77 35 91657
E-Mail: charmin@virgincinnamon.com
HOTLINE
- Ms. Grace: +84 (855) 555-782
- Ms. Kris: +84 (855) 555-837
Contact us by filling in the form below:
