This accounted for 5% of Vietnam’s total exports and made South Korea its second largest agricultural market after China, according to the latest customs data.
The three biggest South Korean imports from Vietnam were banana, mango and sesame seed, with that of banana tripling in value.
Other items whose shipments rose sharply were dragon fruit, watermelon, shiitake mushroom, durian, pineapple, and almond.
A banana export company in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai said its fruits are sold at in major supermarkets in South Korea, including Lottemart.
Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruits & Vegetables Association, said South Korea’s banana market is valued at $300 million annually, which means there is potential for Vietnamese exporters to increase their shipments.