Vegetable, fruit exports reach $5.2B record

Durian accounted for 40% of the value, followed by jackfruit, watermelon, grapefruit and longan, all recording growth between 50% and 200%, according to the Vietnam Fruits & Vegetables Association (VFA).

This was the first time that vegetables and fruits exceeded the export value of key agricultural produce such as rice, cashew nuts and coffee.

Ri6 durian in Mekong Delta city of Can Tho. Photo by VnExpress/Manh Khuong

China was the biggest market in the first 10 months at $3.2 billion, accounting for 66% of the total. Growth was 2.7% year-on-year.

It was followed by the U.S., down 3% to $212 million, South Korea, up 25% to $187 million and Japan, up 7% to $151 million.

The surge in demand from China and other countries helped exports to reach new heights, said Dang Phuc Nguyen, VFA general secretary.

More durian farming areas have been approved for exports to China this year and this helped increase shipment, he said, adding that improved infrastructure and logistics also contributed to the growth.

China is considering importing fresh coconuts from Vietnam and the fruit if approved, will likely be another one that records billions in exports.

Vietnam is negotiating with the U.S. and Australia to export passion fruit there. It is also in talks to ship grapefruit to Japan, South Korea, Australia and India.