Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports to China dropped, but soared in other markets

In 2020, vegetables and fruits exported from Vietnam to China decreased sharply, reaching only US$1.84 billion, down 25.7% compared to 2019. Although it is still the largest market for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, China’s market share in the total export value of Vietnamese vegetables and fruits decreased sharply from 66.1% in 2019 to 56.3% in 2020.

The main reason why exports of fruits and vegetables to China fell sharply was the Covid-19 pandemic. In order to control the pandemic, in 2020, China enhanced inspection of imported goods into this country, shortened customs clearance time, and closed border markets... resulting in Vietnamese vegetables and fruits being stuck at the border gates, thereby greatly affecting the export value of vegetables and fruits to China.

Also due to the pandemic, Chinese consumers were less interested in imported fruits and vegetables and used more of domestic products, which more or less affected the export of vegetables and fruits from Vietnam to China in 2020.

Despite a sharp decline in China, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports to other markets grew well in other markets, inluding difficult ones such as the US, Japan, Australia, Korea, the Netherlands... This means that Vietnamese vegetables and fruits can now penetrate difficult markets and depend less on the Chinese market like in previous years.

Among the largest markets for Vietnamese vegetables and fruits (except China), Thailand was the strongest growing market in 2020. Export value of vegetables and fruits to Thailand in the past year reached US$157.16 million, up 109.7% compared to 2019, making Thailand third largest market for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables.

Russia came right behind Thailand in market growth. In 2020, Vietnam’s exported vegetables and fruits to Russia was US$54 million, increased by 58.7% compared to 2019. Next was Australia (with US$64 million, up 43.8%); Taiwan (US$94 million, increased 28.8%); America (US$169 million USD, increased 12.5%), South Korea (US$143 million USD, increased 8.5%) ...

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, in 2020, the total value of Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export was US$3.27 billion, a decrease of 12.7% compared to 2019.