Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports increase sharply

According to estimates of the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), the export value of fruit and vegetables in Vietnam in May 2023 reached US$ 600 million, an increase of 53% compared to April 2023 and an increase of 138% compared to the previous month. May 2022. With this result, last May was the first time in Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export that the turnover reached US$ 600 million in a month.

Thanks to the sudden growth in May and good growth in the previous months, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export turnover in the first 5 months of 2023 is estimated at US$ 1.97 billion, up 39% compared to last year.

Thus, while many agricultural, forestry, and fishery products of Vietnam are experiencing a sharp decline in exports due to the influence of high global inflation, the fruit and vegetable industry continues to record a strong export growth rate.

Most exported vegetables and fruits recorded good growth rates in the first 4 months of 2023. Leading in export value was fresh fruit, reaching US$ 921 million, up 16% over the same period in 2022.

In the main export fresh fruit structure, only dragon fruit and banana saw a decrease in turnover in the first 4 months of 2023. Meanwhile, the export turnover of durian fruit increased very strongly, reaching US$ 191 million, an increase of 573% over the same period in 2022.

Durian fruit exports are mainly to China, which accounts for 84% of Vietnam's total durian export value. After Vietnam and China signed the Official Durian Export Protocol, Vietnam's durian exports to the Chinese market grew very strongly.

Not only favorable for the market, but durian in the southern provinces is also promising in output because of the good season. Mrs. Dang Thi Thuy Nga, Director of Xuan Dinh Durian Cooperative in Xuan Loc district, Dong Nai province, said that this year, due to favorable weather and regular rainfall, durian trees in this area grow and develop well, high fruiting rate, estimated yield is over 25 tons/ha, equivalent to the yield in 2022.

The selling price of durian at the gardens in Xuan Loc is also high, from VND 62,000-65,000/kg. With such productivity and selling price, durian farmers in Xuan Loc have a profit of VND 700 million to VND 1 billion/ha.

Notably, after Vietnam and China signed the Protocol to export durian officially, durian fruit was promoted to this market.

In addition to signing the official durian export Protocol, in the past time, Vietnam and China have signed the Protocol with mangosteen and banana. In addition, Vietnam is negotiating to sign a protocol with China on fruits such as dragon fruit, watermelon, lychee, longan, rambutan, and mango. At the same time, it is proposed that the Chinese side open more doors for other Vietnamese fruit and vegetable products such as green-skinned pomelo, fresh coconut, avocado, lemon, pineapple, and milkweed. This is an opportunity to promote the export of fresh fruits from Vietnam in the past months as well as in the coming time, especially to the Chinese market.

Follow fresh fruits in terms of fruit and vegetable exports earlier this year are processed fruit and vegetable products. The export of processed fruits and vegetables in the first 4 months of 2023 reached US$ 356 million, up 23% over the same period in 2022. The export of processed fruits and vegetables has always maintained a good growth rate, even in the general export situation of the fruit and vegetable industry declines in 2022. Vietnam's processed vegetables and fruits have great potential to boost exports, as consumers worldwide tend to increase their consumption of processed fruits and vegetables.

Currently, it is at the peak of harvesting many fruits, such as jackfruit, durian, and lychee..., leading to fascinating export activities. Durian is mainly exported to China through the Huu Nghi border gate (Lang Son province).

As of May 30, at Huu Nghi International border gate, 1,601 shipments, equivalent to nearly 60,000 tons of durian, were cleared for official export to China.

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafuit), said that in the second half of the year, fruit and vegetable exports are forecast to continue to be good thanks to abundant supply and good demand from the market. This year, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports are predicted to reach US$ 4 billion for the first time.