AsemconnectVietnam - Vietnam’s lychee production has been supplemented this year by nearly 15,000 tonnes from Central Highlands’ provinces, thanks to their harvest taking place a month before northern localities do likewise.

This year’s lychee production nationwide has been boosted by nearly 15,000 tonnes of fruit from provinces in the Central Highlands, which were harvested a month earlier than in the northern region. This has attracted many traders who export the fruit to China.
The lychee varieties grown in the Central Highlands are the same as those in the northern province of Bac Giang, but they have only recently been able to earn higher economic value due to crop restructuring practices over the past three years.
Despite the modest growing area and output compared to coffee and pepper, the lychee industry has contributed to poverty alleviation in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak.
Fruit, farm produce week underway in Hanoi
A wide range of fruits and other agricultural specialties from various localities are being offered at Vincom Plaza Long Bien shopping mall in Hanoi within the framework of a fruit and farm produce week that opened on May 24 to stimulate demand.
Acting Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade Tran Thi Phuong Lan said the fair is expected to stimulate domestic consumption, increase the total retail sales of goods and effectively implement regional linkage activities and support promotion and connection of goods supply and demand between Hanoi and other localities.
The fair gathers more than 130 booths of over 80 enterprises and cooperatives of Hanoi and 18 participating cities and provinces.
Vietnam’s vegetable, fruit exports likely to hit 4 billion USD
As one of the few sectors reporting export turnover increase in the first quarter of 2023, Vietnam's vegetable and fruit sector has a bright outlook to earn 4 billion USD in export revenue this year.
Vietnam exported nearly 1 billion USD worth of fruits and vegetables in Q1, up 8% from a year earlier, with the Chinese market recording an impressive growth of 23%.
The growth was attributable to the signing of protocols on exports of durian, sweet potato and banana to China through official channels.
The export of pomelo to the US, and passion fruit to New Zealand was also a driver for the overall growth of the sector.
The implementation of free trade agreements is also an important driving force helping fruit and vegetable exports to increase sharply in the first months, and make an important contribution to boosting the sector's exports throughout the year.
Vietnamese consumers encouraged to purchase domestic fruits
Domestic consumers appear to be confused about information on domestically grown fruits and think the products are not safe enough, even though developed and neighboring markets have been buying Vietnam’s fruits for many years.
Nguyen Dinh Tung, deputy chair of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said at a press conference about the first HCM City Export Trade Fair on May 17 that veggie and fruit export turnover in the first four months of the year reached $1.39 billion, up 20 percent compared with the same period last year.
Vietnam fruits are present in many choosy markets, including Japan, China, the US, Canada, Australia and South Korea, satisfying strict requirements set by the importing countries.
Tung explained that each import market is considered a playing field with its specific rules. Fruits which meet requirements to enter the US market May not automatically be able to enter the EU market. Similarly, products that can enter the EU market may not be accepted by the Chinese market.
During the festival, various activities will be held, including an exhibition of unique fruits from countries around the world that are planted in Suoi Tien Farm, a fruit market, a food fair, a delicious fruit contest, carving art with fruit and vegetables, and art performances with the participation of the Friendship Associations of Vietnam – Southeast Asia, Vietnam-India, Vietnam-Indonesia and Vietnam – Cambodia.
The festival aims to display a diversity of fruits in the regions nationwide and honor achievements in the agriculture industry and fruit growers.
On this occasion, a people-to-people cooperation agreement was signed by the Union of Friendship Organizations of HCMC and Suoi Tien Cultural Tourism Joint Stock Company on May 24.
T.Huong
Source: Vitic/VNA