Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is poised to achieve a historic milestone in fruit and vegetable exports, with projections indicating a record turnover of $7 billion in 2024. This anticipated surge is fueled by robust current momentum and consistent double-digit growth in recent months.
In the first seven months of 2024, Vietnam earned $3.83 billion from fruit and vegetable exports, marking a 24.3% increase from the same period last year. The sector has exhibited double-digit growth in its top ten export markets, excluding the Netherlands.
Recent developments include the Republic of Korea’s (RoK) agreement to import fresh pomelo from Vietnam. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association, noted that exports to the RoK and Japan are increasing, alongside a strong presence in the Chinese market. The fruit and vegetable sector is expanding its footprint in Northeast Asia, with China remaining the largest importer, accounting for 64% of Vietnam’s export turnover, a 22% increase from last year. The RoK follows with a 55% year-on-year growth.
Nguyen highlighted that Northeast Asia is becoming a strategic market for Vietnamese produce due to tariff benefits and lower transportation costs compared to markets such as the EU and the US.
Under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, Vietnam is permitted to export 12 types of fruit to China. The Plant Protection Department (PPD) is working to open markets for citrus fruits, medicinal plants, and frozen durian, and is negotiating exports of passion fruit, longan, and lychee to Australia and passion fruit and grapefruit to New Zealand.
Deputy Director of the PPD, Nguyen Quang Hieu, noted that the area of durian with newly granted farming codes is approximately 25,000 hectares out of a total 150,000 hectares nationwide. Efforts are focused on expanding these certified cultivation areas while maintaining product quality.
A protocol for the official export of frozen durian to China is anticipated to be signed in 2024. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien emphasized the importance of adhering to international regulations for sustainable sector development. The Ministry, along with other relevant bodies, is intensifying quality management and monitoring to support continued growth in fruit and vegetable exports.