According to the Agro Processing and Market Development Authority, the prices of most fruits increased in September, benefiting farmers and export companies.

In Kien Giang province, Siamese banana prices bounced back to VND 9,000-10,000 VND per bunch, or 5 times higher than the lowest price, ending the long period of price decreases since last year.

Farmers said bananas are selling well because of high demand but there is a shortage because of rains and typhoons.

The jackfruit prices in Hau Giang, Vinh Long and Can Tho have also increased sharply, reaching VND70,000 per kilogram. First-class jackfruit is collected by merchants at VND65,000-68,000 per kilogram, while second-class are VND50,000-55,000 per kilogram, an increase of VND25,000 per kilogram compared with the end of August, three times higher than three months ago and VND15,000 per kilogram higher than the peak of last year.

Meanwhile, coconut (makapuno) is collected by merchants at VND100,000-120,000 per fruit, an increase of VND20,000-25,000 compared with July. The prices increased because of the high demand from travelers to Cau Ke district during the Vu Lan and mid-autumn festivals.

Prior to that, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) reported, as EVFTA took effect, the export value of farm produce, including fruits, increased in August, reaching $14.7 million, up by 25.2 percent over the previous month and 6 percent over the same period last year.

In September, many consignments of fruits were shipped to the EU under EVFTA and enjoyed the preferential tariff of zero percent.

In mid-September, a consignment of 100 tons of passion fruit was shipped to the EU. Later, a consignment of 20,000 coconuts, 12 tons of red flesh pomelo and 3 tons of dragon fruits was also exported to the EU by a company by both air and sea.

The EU is now the fourth largest market for Vietnam’s vegetables and fruits. The country benefited as soon as the EVFTA took effect. The EU committed to open its market widely to Vietnam’s vegetable and fruit exports by immediately removing 94 percent of 547 tariff lines on vegetables and fruits, and products made from vegetable and fruits.

The commitment on tariff cuts has created great advantages in price for Vietnam’s vegetables and fruits over products from countries that have no FTA with the EU, such as Thailand, China, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Fruit export companies all confirmed that importers from the EU have increased demand for Vietnam’s fruits.

“A lot of importers have contacted us. However, we have to be very cautious in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic,” an exporter said.

In the first nine months of 2020, Vietnam exported $2.5 billion worth of vegetables and fruits. 

T. An

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