Fruit and vegetable exports earn 2.5 billion USD

According to preliminary data from the General Department of Customs, in May 2024, fruit and vegetable exports reached 665 million USD, up 10.3% over the previous month but only up 1.2% over the same period in 2023. In the first 5 months of 2024, fruit and vegetable exports reached 2.5 billion USD, up 25.7% over the same period last year.

Durian is one of the main export fruits.

On the other hand, fruit and vegetable imports in May reached 180 million USD, up 16% over the same period in 2023. The cumulative figure for the past 5 months reached 816 million USD, up 14% over the same period last year. Thus, in the past 5 months, Vietnam had a trade surplus of nearly 1.7 billion USD in fruit and vegetable imports.

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen - General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association - informed that the unusually hot weather has affected the productivity and output of many types of fruits. In particular, the staple product of durian has been significantly affected in terms of output due to the hot weather and the lack of size, causing the export turnover of durian as well as vegetables and fruits in general to slow down in May.

Previously, in the first 4 months of this year, China spent about 1 billion USD to import durian, down 32% compared to the same period in 2023. Of which, durian export turnover from Thailand to China decreased by 49% compared to the same period last year, while Vietnam's durian supply to this market increased by 82%.

However, since April, as Vietnamese and Thai durians entered their harvest season, supply has increased again. In April, the price of Vietnamese durian sold to the Chinese market reached 4.22 USD/kg, 1.16 USD lower than the same product from Thailand. This has helped Vietnamese durian quickly expand its market share, and more Chinese people have access to durian and use it more often.

Currently, the durian harvest season in the West is coming to an end, and the eastern and southern provinces of the Central Highlands are preparing for the peak harvest. It is forecasted that in the coming months, the export turnover of durian and vegetables may increase sharply again.

According to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, durian exports to China still lead the fruit group in this market in both output and value. This is also the largest durian consumer market of Vietnam.

Currently, Vietnam is promoting negotiations to open the market for frozen peeled durian products to the Chinese market and exporting fresh durian to the Indian market. The current issue of concern for durian is still controlling and improving quality, harmful microorganisms, and managing the use of growing area codes to avoid violations as China has repeatedly warned.

Providing more information on this issue, Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu - Deputy Director of the Plant Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) - said that since 2023, this unit has been negotiating with India to export durian. After more than 1 year of negotiations, the plant protection agencies of Vietnam and India have finalized a list of pests and diseases of common concern to agree on control solutions when conducting import and export.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/5-thang-dau-nam-2024-xuat-khau-rau-qua-thu-ve-25-ty-usd-321785.html