Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable export industry has achieved an unprecedented milestone, collecting nearly $650 million in just the first 15 days of September. This historic figure propels the sector to the top of Vietnam’s agricultural exports, surpassing traditional leaders like seafood and timber.

Preliminary data from the General Department of Customs reveals that fruit and vegetable exports hit nearly $650 million between September 1 and 15, marking a staggering 41.3% increase from $460 million during the same period in 2024.

More remarkably, this surge has pushed the fruit and vegetable sector past seafood exports ($431 million) and wood products ($607 million), long considered Vietnam’s top agricultural earners.

Cumulative figures show that total export revenue from fruits and vegetables in September is estimated to reach nearly $1.3 billion, up 36% from August and 41% from the same month last year. For the first nine months of 2025, total exports have surpassed $6.1 billion, reflecting an 8.3% year-on-year increase.

“September’s export boom was largely driven by durian,” said Nguyen Dinh Tung, CEO of Vina T&T Group, in an interview with VietNamNet.

He explained that September coincides with peak durian harvest season in the Central Highlands, particularly in Dak Lak province. The region produced high-quality fruit that met stringent plant quarantine and food safety standards required by international buyers, significantly boosting overall export earnings.

“In September alone, Vina T&T exported approximately 300 containers of durian, pomelo, longan, mango, and dragon fruit to China, the US, Australia, Canada, and several other markets,” Tung shared. Durian shipments to China nearly doubled compared to August 2025.

By the end of September, Vina T&T’s fruit and vegetable export revenue was estimated to have grown by 17-18% compared to the same period in 2024.

The company’s traditional export market, the US, recorded the strongest growth, followed by China, which resumed large durian orders after a temporary halt earlier this year.

According to Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), if the growth momentum continues, the sector may easily surpass the $7.1 billion mark from 2024 and approach or even exceed $8 billion in total export value by the end of 2025.

Durian alone has contributed an estimated $2.5–2.6 billion in the first nine months of 2025. Other key exports like bananas, coconuts, pineapples, passion fruit, and processed mangoes are also maintaining stable growth, helping to diversify the product portfolio compared to previous years.

Beyond products, the export market structure is also showing signs of healthy diversification. Data from the first eight months of 2025 indicates reduced dependence on China and more balanced distribution across multiple markets.

Customs statistics show strong export growth across almost all major markets. Exports to the US rose by 60%, to Japan by 21%, the Netherlands by 39%, Australia by 38%, the UAE by 49%, and Malaysia by 67%.

Nguyen remarked that if not for the setback early in the year - when some durian shipments were returned due to import violations - Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports could have reached $8.5 to $9 billion by year-end.

In comparison, the sector reached $5.6 billion in 2023 and $7.1 billion in 2024. With nine-month performance already at $6.1 billion, Nguyen estimates that if the current pace of 10% quarterly growth continues, Vietnam could set a new record with $8.15 billion in fruit and vegetable exports for the full year of 2025.

Tam An