Exports increased sharply
In the first 2 months of 2024, fruit and vegetable exports continue to maintain impressive growth momentum and are expected to set a new record of 6.5 billion USD in 2024.
Ms. Ngo Tuong Vy, General Director of Chanh Thu Fruit Import-Export Group Joint Stock Company, said that the enterprises has full orders for durian but now that it is the end of the season, there are not enough products to export. "We currently do not have enough durian for many markets. We are waiting for main durian crop in May. Orders for grapefruit, mango, star apple... are still being exported well", Ms. Tuong Vy said.
With high expectations for fresh coconut exports, Mr. Bui Duong Thuat, Director of Mekong Fruit Import-Export Co., Ltd. said that currently export orders to the US, Europe and Australia are quite stable. Currently, each week, the enterprises exports an average amount of 4-5 containers of coconuts to markets. Regarding Chinese market, Mr. Thuat said that he enterprises are waiting for China to sign protocol for coconuts. In 2024, if the protocol is signed, export turnover of fresh coconuts to the Chinese market will grow positively.
Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen - General Secretary of Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit) said that in February, fruit and vegetable exports reached 325.76 million USD, down 33.6% compared to the previous month. Although there was a decrease in February, in the first 2 months of the year, export of this product still achieved high growth. Specifically, by the end of February, fruit and vegetable export turnover reached more than 815 million USD, up 45.1% over the same period last year. This is one of the key product groups with high growth in recent times.
Explaining a decrease in February, Mr. Nguyen said that there is nothing to worry about because February has Lunar New Year holiday, so a decrease in turnover is understandable.
Forecasting export prospects of this industry in 2024, Mr. Nguyen said that the market will continue to have positive developments, especially from Chinese market. Currently, China is Vietnam's largest fruit and vegetable export market, accounting for more than 60% of the country's turnover.
Notably, Vietnam has 14 agricultural products officially exported to this market such as: Durian, bird's nest, sweet potatoes, dragon fruit, longan, rambutan, mango, jackfruit, watermelon, banana, jelly, blackberry, mangosteen, lychee and passion fruit... Along with that, China is increasing import of processed fruit and vegetable products from Vietnam. This is a good opportunity for Vietnam to grow export turnover and increase the value of fruits and vegetables.
Continue to expand market
According to Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, in 2024, durian, coconut, banana, mango, and dragon fruit will still be Vietnam's strategic products. In particular, durian is considered a strength with up to 708 growing areas and 168 packaging facilities allowed to export to China. In addition, in anticipation of products that will be signed with the protocol such as passion fruit, coconut and frozen durian. Enterprises have made preparations.
"In 2024, there will be additional durian growing area codes issued and a number of new products such as frozen durian, fresh coconut... if negotiations are successful right from the beginning of the year, it will contribute an additional 1 billion USD in turnover for Vietnam", Mr. Nguyen said and further analyzed that Vietnam's durian output has an advantage over many countries because it is grown as a seasonal crop and the output is available all year round. "Not only Chinese market, but also other markets. In 2024, fruit and vegetable industry has many opportunities to achieve new records", Vinafruit General Secretary commented.
Despite good growth, many experts also believe that fruit and vegetable industry contains many risks when relying too much on China. On other hand, deep processing capacity is still limited, in many cases, planting area code is faked...
Mr. Nguyen Khac Huy - Director of Hoang Phat Fruit Co., Ltd., Long An, commented that if we want good growth, we must open many products to the market, as in the near future, Vietnam will export grapefruit to Korea.
According to experts, Vietnam has many advantages when it has signed 16 free trade agreements. However, to export vegetables and fruits sustainably and dominate the market, there needs to be close links in production and people, producer, farmers, packers, exporters. Focus on product quality, ensure compliance with food safety regulations, meet the standards of each market right from production, to preliminary processing, packaging, transportation and delivery to customer's hand.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn