Durian exports likely to reach US$1 billion this year
VOV.VN - The export turnover of Vietnamese durians this year is likely to hit around US$1, according to Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association (Vinafruit).
Nguyen made the statement on March 31 during a conference on trade promotion with Vietnamese Trade Offices abroad.
He revealed that Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports during the first quarter of the year hit nearly US$1 billion, representing an increase of 8% against the same period from last year.
Of the figure, fruit and vegetable exports to China increased by 23%, with this market accounting for nearly 60% of the nation’s total fruit and vegetable export turnover.
This growth can be attributed to the fact that the country has signed a number of protocols with China, including for products such as durian, bananas. and sweet potatoes.
In terms of other major markets, the country began exporting pomelo to the United States and passion fruit to New Zealand last year.
Furthermore, new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs) such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) have also contributed to accelerating the growth of Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports in the first quarter of the year.
In terms of durian products, despite the export protocol to China taking effect from July, 2022, by the end of December last year, durian export turnover reached US$420 million, said Nguyen, adding that durian export turnover is likely to reach roughly US$1 billion this year.
He therefore recommended that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade include the Vietnam Trade Office in China to co-ordinate, negotiate, and sign more protocols for dragon fruit, mangoes, longan, and rambutan moving forward.
He underlined the necessity in investing in advanced technology to process Vietnamese vegetables and fruits, as well as to strive to further introduce Vietnamese vegetables and fruits to the Chinese market, and other markets such as the US and EU.
Moreover, Vietnamese Ambassadors and Trade Offices abroad are advised to organise festivals as a means of opening up further export opportunities for fruit and vegetables in the future.
With regard to durian products, he suggested increasing the growing area codes that are licensed by the Chinese side in the coming time.
