According to Vietnam Customs, fruit and vegetable exports reached nearly 4 billion USD in the first 7 months of the year, a slight 0.3% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. China remains the largest importer, accounting for 54% of the market share despite a 15% year-on-year decrease in import value. This decline is significantly less than the 80% drop experienced earlier in the year. Durian, a key export, is showing signs of recovery.

Following China, the US ranks second with 316 million USD in imports, a substantial 66% increase, marking the strongest growth in years. Other markets like Japan, the Netherlands, Taiwan, and Australia also saw increases ranging from 13% to 40%, indicating healthy demand for Vietnamese produce in various regions.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, believes fruit and vegetable exports are recovering, thanks to the removal of several technical barriers by authorities. Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued Decision 3015, implementing the first dedicated food safety control process for fresh durian exports, covering all stages from cultivation to consumption. He hopes that if these regulations are followed correctly, durian and other tropical fruits will see a breakthrough in the Chinese market of over 1.4 billion people.

Durian harvest in Cai Lay Town, Tien Giang Province. Photo: Hoang Nam

Durian harvest in Cai Lay Town, Tien Giang Province. Photo: Hoang Nam

In addition, Chinese consumers are increasingly favoring processed fruits and vegetables due to their convenience and added value. Nguyen believes Vietnamese businesses should quickly adapt to this trend to increase market share and ensure stable output.

At a recent seminar promoting agricultural exports to China, Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, Deputy Director of the Trade and Investment Promotion Center (Ministry of Industry and Trade), emphasized that China is Vietnam's top trading partner, with a trade volume exceeding 200 billion USD. However, the trade deficit with China remains high, requiring solutions to balance trade, including boosting official exports of key agricultural products.

According to Thuy, China not only has a high demand for tropical agricultural products but is also expanding access and granting official import licenses for various Vietnamese fruits and food items: such as passion fruit, coconut, banana, bird's nest, and citrus fruits. This presents an opportunity for Vietnam to promote exports more professionally and sustainably in the coming years.

Thi Ha