Fruit and vegetable exports record rebound
VOV.VN - Despite enduring market fluctuations in the first quarter of the year, the export of Vietnamese fruit and vegetables significantly recovered in the second quarter of the year, according to industry insiders.
Statistics released by the General Department of Vietnam Customs indicate that the country’s fruit and vegetable export turnover increased by 63% to more than US$2.75 billion in the first half of the year. June alone saw businesses rake in an estimated US$1 billion from the export of the products.
Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), attributed the rebound to China’s reopening to a series of Vietnamese fruits in June, including durian and pomelo.
At present, China is Vietnam’s largest consumer of fruit and vegetables, accounting for more than 63% of its export value, followed by the United States, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the Netherlands.
Except for the US that saw Vietnam’s export value of fruit and vegetables drop 12% year on year, the export of the products to other markets such as RoK, Japan, and the Netherlands rose by 12%, 0.5%, and 70%, respectively.
Nguyen predicted that with the current growth momentum, the fruit and vegetable industry will remain stable until the end of the year, and its export turnover is likely to reach US$5 billion by the year-end.
Currently, Vietnamese durian enjoys competitive advantages compared to those from Thailand and the Philippines. Most notably, China has recently imported 360 tonnes of durian from Vietnam under a protocol signed between the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the General Administration of Customs of China.
Ngo Tuong Vy, general director of Chanh Thu Fruit Export Group Joint Stock Company, said that the firm would export between 20,000 and 30,000 tonnes of durian to the northern neighbour this year.
However, Vy advised local firms to focus on improving product quality, stay regularly updated on rules, and fully comply with regulations regarding quality standards, quarantine, packaging, and traceability, along with focusing on brand building and market trends in a bid to further boost exports to the market.
Meanwhile, Vinafruit leader Nguyen emphasised that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should continue to negotiate and sign more protocols for other farm products, such as dragon fruit, mango, watermelon, jackfruit, and rambutan via official channels.
In addition, he underlined the need for Vietnam to expand to other markets such as the RoK, Japan, Australia, and the US to accelerate exports moving forward.
