Among the fruit and vegetable groups, durian, banana, and dragon fruit made the most significant contribution to export growth.

Most notably, durian rose from the fourth position to the top to join the billion-US$ fruit export group with the fruit product being forecast to fulfill the export turnover target of US$1.5 billion next month.

Currently, China continues to make up the largest importer of Vietnamese fruit and vegetables with total turnover reaching US$2.3 billion over eight months, a year-on-year rise of 134% over the same period from last year and accounting for 64% of the overall market share.

The US market ranked second with turnover exceeding US$168 million, down more than 6% on-year; followed by the Republic of Korea with US$148 million, up 18%; and Japan with US$123 million, up 6%.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, attributed the sharp rise in fruit and vegetable exports to the fact that China has created a number advantages for Vietnamese agricultural products to enter its market.

Furthermore, the nation’s bananas and jackfruits were also bought by Chinese traders at higher prices compared to the same period from last year.

China is therefore considering allowing Vietnamese fresh coconuts to be officially exported to its market in the near future, while the US has recently reopened its market for fresh coconuts from Vietnam.

According to the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, there remains plenty of room for Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports as relevant authorities are negotiating to open the market for passion fruit to the US and Australia; grapefruit to Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, along with other frozen citrus fruits and coconuts to China.

Insiders point out that with these favourable factors, the nation’s fruit and vegetable sector can fulfill the export turnover target of US$5 billion this year.

Source: VOV