Vietnam's vegetable and fruit exports reach over 2 billion USD since the start of the year

Vietnam's vegetable and fruit exports exceeded 1 billion USD for the first time at the start of the year.

Based on the estimations of MARD, the total value of vegetable and fruit exports from Vietnam reached about 520 million USD at the end of April. This brings the entire export value of vegetables and fruits in the first four months of the year to 1.8 billion USD.

The export value for this year has seen a growth of more than 32% compared to the same time of the previous year. The exports of vegetables and fruits continue to have a strong growth rate and have shown favorable shifts in the market. Additionally, there has been a boost in processing capacity. This year, it is anticipated that the vegetable and fruit industry would establish a new record for exports.

First time ever, Vietnam's exports of fruits and vegetables have surpassed 1 billion USD in the first months of the year. This is a substantial force that will drive this industry to reach new levels of export achievements.

The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT) predicts that fruit and vegetable exports in 2024 would remain favorable, particularly in the Chinese market.

Vietnam now exports 14 primary agricultural products to this market, including durian, bird's nest, sweet potato, dragon fruit, lychee, rambutan, mango, jackfruit, watermelon, banana, black jelly, mangosteen, longan, and passion fruit.

Businesses assert that there is still sufficient space in the market, but for Vietnam's fruit and vegetable products to maintain a competitive edge in exports, they must continue to improve their quality. In the present day, several countries worldwide, including China, are increasingly enforcing stricter quality regulations for imported agricultural products.

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, the General Secretary of VINAFRUIT, emphasized the importance of upholding quality: "I advise everyone to strive to maintain quality. If we have quality, we will not worry about finding markets."

Furthermore, the high percentage of fresh fruit goods, exceeding 80%, being exported is also a drawback.  To improve quality and increase value, this billion-dollar industry needs to invest in deep processing boldly, diversify its products instead of just selling raw produce.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Trung noted: "Businesses are very proactive in signing contracts. The first sign of our recovery is optimism. The primary concern is the efficient coordination of production to meet supply volume according to contract and prevent any disruptions."

Experts suggest that to achieve the goal of exporting fruits and vegetables worth 6-6.5 billion USD this year, it is important to focus on constructing and efficiently managing cultivation areas to produce sustainable export-quality materials. Additionally, staying updated on the technical requirements set by importers will facilitate the penetration of major markets.

According to Mr. Ngo Xuan Nam, Deputy Director of the SPS Office of Vietnam, strict adherence to regulations on food safety and animal and plant health is vital. Producers and companies must comply with these requirements in order to implement SPS measures. Hence, failure to comprehend and breach these rules will promptly result in receiving market warnings.

According to Mr. Le Thanh Hoa, the Deputy Director of the Department of Processing and Market Development of Agricultural Products at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, it is the responsibility of Vietnamese businesses and cooperatives to issue warnings, distribute information, and establish protocols to ensure strict adherence to quality regulations. This is necessary to ensure that these products consistently meet the demands of the market. Given this information, we have the ability to establish a distinct identity for agricultural goods originating from Vietnam.

According to figures from the General Department of Customs, the export value of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables in March 2024 was 469.9 million USD, representing a 44.3% rise compared to February 2024 and a 13.2% increase compared to March 2023.

Exports of fruits and vegetables to key markets in the first three months of 2024 all showed positive growth. Leading in terms of export value is the Chinese market, reaching 759.4 million USD, up 32.4% compared to the same period in 2023; followed by the South Korean market with 74.6 million USD, an increase of 59.3%; the US with 67.7 million USD, up 33.9%; Thailand with 47.6 million USD, up 112%...

The Agency of Foreign Trade (Ministry of Industry and Trade) has projected that the export of fruits and vegetables, including durian from Vietnam, will experience a significant boost in 2024. This is attributed to the potential issuance of additional planting area codes and packaging facilities, which will create favorable conditions for export. In addition, the formal export of coconuts would enhance the prospects of increasing the export revenue of fruits and vegetables in the near future.