Vietnam spends over US$1bn importing veg in Jan-Aug 2017

In the Jan-Aug period of this year, Vietnam imported more than US$1 billion worth of fruits and vegetables, a massive 94% increase on a year earlier, according to the agriculture ministry.

The eight-month import figures on vegetables were worth US$190 million, up 35% from the same period last year, while fruit imports more than doubled to top US$800 million, the ministry elaborated.

In August alone, the country spent nearly US$170 million on imported green produce.

Vietnam imports the most produce from Thailand, with the neighboring country’s produce accounting for nearly 62% of imports in the first eight months of 2017. China ranks second, making up 16% of Vietnam’s green import value.

The country’s fruit and vegetable imports from Thailand rose by 3.2 times from last year, while increases from the Indian and New Zealand markets were 2.2 times and 50%, according to the ministry.

It posted US$20.45 billion in export revenue from agro-forestry and aquatic products in the Jan-Jul period this year.

As of mid-July, Vietnam shipped more than US$1.8 billion worth of fruit and vegetable to other markets.