11-month fruit and vegetable exports hit record high of over US$5 billion
VOV.VN - Vietnam is expected to rake in US$5.2 billion from exporting its fruits and vegetables between January and November 2023, an increase of 70% from the same period last year, according to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association (Vinafruit).
The fruit and veggie exports brought in US$5.01 billion by November 15 and the figure is anticipated to rise to US$5.2 billion by the end of the month, a record high figure, reported Vinafruit.
This is the first time that the group of fruit and vegetables has surpassed other key groups of farm products such as rice, cashew nuts, coffee, and cassava in the export value, said the association.
Currently, China is the largest consumer of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, spending US$3.2 billion on imports over the past 10 months, representing a year-on year rise of 2.7% and accounting for 66% of the market share.
China is followed by the United States that purchased more than US$212 million worth of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, down more than 3% over the same period last year.
The Republic of Korea and Japan finished third and fourth, importing US$187 million and US$151 million worth of the products from Vietnam, up 25% and 7%, respectively.
Vinafruit general secretary Dang Phuc Nguyen attributed the leapfrog in the export value of the Vietnamese fruits and vegetables to a high purchase from China and other markets.
China has signed a series of protocols with Vietnam, creating the prerequisite for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables to enter its market.
Vietnam has so far shipped major farm products to China, including bananas, durian, mangosteen, black jelly, rice bran, rice, sweet potatoes, watermelon, dragon fruit, mangos, jackfruit, longans, lychees, rambutan, chili, and passion fruit.
In addition, logistics infrastructure has been renovated and newly built, helping to cut transportation costs and create more competitive prices compared to other regional rivals.
Nguyen revealed that China is considering importing Vietnamese fresh coconuts, and if it is approved, the coconut will soon join the billion-dollar club of major farm products.
Meanwhile, the US has also allowed Vietnam to export fresh dehusked coconuts to its market.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the door is wide open for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables to make further inroads into global markets. Authorities are now negotiating with partners to ship passion fruits to the US and Australia; pomelos to Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and India, durians to India; and frozen citrus fruits, coconuts, and durians to China.
With the rising export growth, Vinafruit expects the export value to hit US$5.5-5.6 billion this year, beyond the expectation of the fruit and vegetable industry.
