Durian and rice exports to break through in 2024

Durian, rice, coffee, and forestry products made a strong impression in exports this year thanks to a methodical production strategy, market expansion, and record price increases.

The export turnover of agricultural, forestry and fishery products in 2024 will reach 62.4 billion USD, up 18.5% compared to the previous year, exceeding the target of 54-55 billion USD assigned by the Prime Minister. This record figure affirms the strong resilience of the agricultural sector in the context of climate change and international competition.

The most prominent export sector this year is the fruit and vegetable sector, especially durian - a "bright star" with a value accounting for 40-42% of the total fruit and vegetable turnover, contributing to this group reaching 7.2 billion USD. This figure also makes fruit and vegetables surpass rice - the main export item of Vietnamese agricultural products for many years.

According to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, the strategy of spreading production and strict quality control has helped durian not only maintain its leading position in fruit and vegetable exports but also affirm its brand in the international market. This fruit has met the great demand from the Chinese market as well as the US, Japan, Korea, etc. Other fruit products such as dragon fruit, mango, and banana have also contributed significantly to this success.

Rice has lagged behind durian but continues to be Vietnam’s main export commodity, with a value of nearly $5.8 billion, up 21%. This year, Vietnam exported 9 million tons of rice, at an average price of $620 per ton - the highest ever, surpassing both Thailand and India. Major markets include the Philippines, Indonesia and China, with Indonesia doubling its imports to replenish its food reserves. The Ministry of Agriculture forecasts that rice exports will continue to grow in 2025 thanks to sustainable farming models and high-quality products from the Mekong Delta.

The coffee industry also recorded a boom year with a turnover of 5.5 billion USD, up nearly 32% compared to the previous year. Although output decreased by 15% due to the impact of the weather, coffee prices increased by 57% compared to the same period, reaching an average of 4,037 USD per ton - a record high. Germany, the US and Italy were the largest import markets, in addition to strong demand growth in Asia such as Korea and Japan. Mr. Nguyen Quoc Manh, Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production, emphasized that coffee replanting has contributed to improving quality, meeting international standards and expanding market share.

In the forestry sector, export turnover reached 17.3 billion USD, up 19.4%. Wood products and furniture continued to account for a large proportion, especially in major markets such as the US, EU, Japan and South Korea. Sustainable production strategies and the use of environmentally friendly materials are helping the Vietnamese wood industry expand into new regions such as the Middle East and Africa.

In addition, items such as pepper, rubber and seafood have recorded impressive growth. The average export price of pepper reached 5,198 USD per ton, rubber reached 1,480 USD per ton. For seafood, the export price also increased compared to the same period and the turnover gradually recovered in the second half of 2024 and reached the target of 10 billion USD this year.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development , Thanks to industry restructuring solutions, application of scientific and technological advances and digital transformation, the agricultural sector has made significant progress in improving value and competitiveness in the international market.

Currently, Asia is the largest consumer region of Vietnamese agricultural, forestry and fishery products, accounting for 48.2% of total turnover. This is followed by America (23.7%) and Europe (11.3%). In particular, export turnover to Europe increased the most with 30.4%, while America increased by 23.6% and Asia increased by 16.1%. Major partner markets such as the US, China and Japan continue to be the main destinations of Vietnamese agricultural products, in which turnover to the US increased by 24.6%, China increased by 11% and Japan increased by 5.5%.

The Center for Information on Agricultural and Rural Development (Agroinfo) believes that the US and China remain the most potential markets for Vietnamese agricultural products thanks to their large consumer demand, especially for products such as coffee, cashew nuts, pepper, and tropical fruits. In addition, Japan continues to be considered a potential market for organic, safe, and sustainable products.

Durian grown in Long An. Photo: Hoang Nam

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development forecasts that the outlook for 2025 is very positive, with turnover likely to exceed the 65 billion USD mark if industries continue to innovate technology, improve quality and expand markets. However, the Ministry also emphasizes the importance of dealing with climate change and technical barriers from importing countries.

Mr. Ngo Xuan Nam, Deputy Director of the Vietnam SPS Office, commented that to maintain growth momentum, the agricultural sector needs to focus on investing in the value chain while meeting international standards. This is a decisive factor to maintain a competitive position in the global market.

With outstanding achievements, 2024 marks a period of strong development for Vietnamese agriculture, not only in terms of export value but also in quality and sustainability.

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