During the period, Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports to the largest markets registered high growth, with China ranking first as the country imported 1.2 billion USD worth of products, an annual increase of 18.1 percent.

The US came second with 50.9 million USD, up 14.6 percent. It was followed by Japan with 46.7 million USD, up 8 percent; the Republic of Korea with 46.5 million USD, up 15.4 percent; and Thailand with 26.1 million USD; up 26.3 percent.

At present, China remains Vietnam's top export market, accounting for 74.6 percent of the latter's fruit and vegetable export turnover in the first five months.

The result is attributed to the similarity in demand, habits and consumer taste and close geographical distance between Vietnam and China. However, requirements for product quality of the Chinese market are increasing as the common trend of the world.

Therefore, together with improving the quality of products, businesses are advised to learn about China’s crops and seasons to plant suitable fruits and vegetables to avoid coinciding with its crops as well as depreciation.

Experts said that it is necessary to synchronously implement measures such as intensifying the export of fresh fruits and the use of semi-processed and preservation technologies.

They stressed the need to expand export markets and strictly follow their requirements on food safety and quality.

Tran Hiep, from the Tien Giang Vegetables and Fruits Joint Stock Company, attributed the increase in the export turnover to increasing demand of importers.

According to him, the export markets of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables are diversified in the first six months of this year.

The European and American markets started buying many kinds of fruits and vegetables which they did not import in the past, such as mango and dragon fruits.

Last year, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable export value exceeded 3.5 billion USD. The sector is striving to reach a year-on-year growth of 10-15 percent this year, or around 4 billion USD.

With half of the target achieved, Vietnam is likely to reach the set target, Hiep added.-