According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT), fruit and vegetable export turnover in August was estimated at 759 million USD, down more than 11% year-on-year. In the first 8 months of the year, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports reached over 4.6 billion USD, a 2% decrease compared to the same period last year.

Markets like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have increased their purchases of Vietnamese agricultural products, with increases ranging from 14% to 67%. The US imported 316 million USD worth of fruit and vegetables from Vietnam in the first 8 months, up 67% year-on-year. Bananas, guavas, dragon fruit, fresh coconuts, and processed mango and coconut products are popular among American consumers.

A durian orchard in Long An province. *Photo: Hoang Nam*

Meanwhile, fruit and vegetable exports to China, South Korea, and Thailand continued to decline by double digits, ranging from 15% to 40%.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of VINAFRUIT, stated that fruit and vegetable exports have recovered significantly, with the 8-month turnover nearly matching last year's. "The biggest driver is durian, which currently accounts for the highest proportion of fruit and vegetable exports," he said.

Durian is entering its main harvest season in the southeastern and central highlands provinces, the largest growing regions in the country. Thanks to meeting China's standards, exports of this fruit and many other agricultural products have improved. Doan Van Ven, General Director of Anh Thu Dak Lak Co., Ltd., said that since August, the company has resumed exports to China with faster customs clearance procedures. The inspection stages, especially regarding zero gold and cadmium levels, are also much smoother.

With this development, experts expect that this year's fruit and vegetable export turnover could surpass last year's figure of over 7 billion USD.

Thi Ha