Fruit and vegetable exports hit new record

In the first 9 months of 2024, fruit and vegetable export turnover reached 5.64 billion USD, up 33.9% over the same period last year. This is a record high ever.

Bright spot of Chinese market

Import and Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) cited data from the General Department of Customs, showing that the turnover fruit and vegetable export Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports have continuously recorded new record highs. Specifically, in September 2024, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export turnover reached 917.25 million USD, up 8.7% over the previous month and up 37.6% over the same period last year. In the first 9 months of 2024, our country's fruit and vegetable export turnover reached 5.64 billion USD, up 33.9% over the same period last year.

Vietnamese durian is in high demand in the Chinese market. (Photo: NH)

The above results were achieved largely thanks to the contribution of fruit exports. durian to the Chinese market. In addition, there are also contributions from key fruits and vegetables such as bananas, jackfruit, mango, watermelon, lemon, passion fruit, nuts, etc.

September 2024 compared to August 2024, fruit and vegetable export turnover to Chinese market and Canada increased (accounting for 78% of total export turnover in September 2024), which had a positive impact on the whole industry. On the contrary, our country's fruit and vegetable export turnover to most potential markets decreased. This shows that Vietnam's fruit and vegetable industry is showing signs of being heavily dependent on the traditional export market of China.

In general, in the first 9 months of 2024, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export turnover to most major markets grew positively, except for the Netherlands. Thus, in the first 9 months of 2024, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable industry made efforts to exploit many other potential markets such as the United States, South Korea, Japan, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, etc.

Forecast to continue growth in the last months of the year

It is forecasted that Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports will continue to grow in the last months of the year due to seasonal factors. In addition, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetables are increasingly asserting their position in markets such as the United States, China, Korea, etc.

In particular, Chinese consumers increasingly favor Vietnamese durian, banana, lychee, longan, jackfruit, mango, and watermelon, thanks to the quality and unique flavor of tropical fruits.

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen - General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association - commented that China is about to enter winter, so fruits and vegetables with many crops will have poor harvests. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, winter is the dry season, so it is favorable for growing fruits and vegetables, thereby producing high output. In addition, Vietnam has connections by road, sea and rail to the Chinese market, creating favorable conditions for businesses to save costs and transportation time.

According to Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu - Deputy Director of the Plant Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), Vietnamese fruits have great potential in the Chinese market. Our strengths are the quality and unique flavors of tropical fruits, grown in the specific climate and soil conditions of Vietnam. Many types of fruits such as durian, mango, dragon fruit, lychee, longan, banana... have long been favored by Chinese consumers.

However, we need to overcome the weaknesses of uneven quality and unstable output to meet the needs of large importers and distributors in China. We need to promote official commercial exports for sustainable development and to increase export value.

According to experts, Vietnamese fruits are currently facing great competition in the export market. Typically, in the Chinese market, many of Vietnam's main export fruits are being rapidly expanded in China.

After 10 years, China's dragon fruit growing area has surpassed Vietnam's. As for durian, China is experimenting with planting 2,700 hectares on Hainan Island and seeking to be self-sufficient in supply from places with favorable climates.

China has consistently been Vietnam's largest trading partner and Vietnam is currently China's largest trading partner in ASEAN and fifth in the world; in terms of supplying fruits and fruit products, Vietnam is China's third largest partner in the world (after Thailand and Chile) with many products having a solid position and being favored by Chinese consumers.

In particular, in recent years, with the cooperation of authorities and the efforts of businesses of the two countries, there have been more and more fruit Vietnam is officially exported to China.

To increase export turnover to the Chinese market, Import and Export Department It is recommended that the fruit and vegetable industry needs to create and bring the true values of Vietnamese fruits to Chinese consumers. Product quality, unique flavors and food safety are the core values that need to be focused on developing and maintaining. When Chinese consumers are aware of these values, they will become sustainable customers, creating a solid foundation for the long-term development of the Vietnamese fruit industry.

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