According to information from Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, in the first 7 months of 2024, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export turnover is estimated to reach more than 3.8 billion USD, an increase of 23.4% over the same period in 2023. In the top 10 import markets of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, most of them grew from 15% to 96%. China is still the largest market, accounting for 64% of total export turnover with 2.1 billion USD in the first half of this year, up 22% over the same period. The next is South Korea with 164 million USD and the US with more than 157 million USD, up 55% and 33% respectively.
In particular, Thailand - a competitor of Vietnam in exporting fruits and vegetables to China - also increased its purchases of Vietnamese goods, reaching 97 million USD in the first 6 months of this year, nearly double that of the same period last year.
Durian, banana and dragon fruit are the main products contributing to growth in export turnover in the first 7 months of the year.
According to Import-Export Department - Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export activities will continue to be favorable in the coming time thanks to abundant domestic supply and demand from traditional and potential markets is on the rise.
Specifically, in Vietnam's largest fruit and vegetable export market, China, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable market share has increased sharply from 7.9% in 2022 to 13.99% in 2023. Currently, competent authorities of Vietnam and China have completed technical negotiations and will soon sign the Protocol on export of frozen durian. In addition, products such as medicinal herbs, coconuts and frozen fruits will also be opened for import by China in the coming time.
Import-Export Department recommends that in the coming time, Vietnamese enterprises need to pay attention to new consumption trends of Chinese market for vegetables and fruits, especially fruits, to increase market share. Specifically, for durian, demand for processed products is increasing rapidly due to high price of fresh durian, few people can afford to buy whole durian while processed durian is more affordable and more suitable for young people's tastes.
In addition to Chinese market, the first months of 2024 also recorded a new development in Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports to Thailand, although this is the world's leading agricultural exporter and has many similar products to Vietnam.
According to Vietnam Trade Office in Thailand, Thailand is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner in ASEAN. Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports to Thailand are currently higher than Vietnam's total fruit and vegetable exports to all other countries in ASEAN. Reason is that this year's unusually hot weather has caused Thai durian to fail to ripen evenly and when exported, it often cracks, so this country has increased its purchase of durian from Vietnam.
In addition to Asian market, demand for imported fruits and vegetables in new markets such as the UK and the EU has also increased. This is a huge market opportunity for Vietnamese fruit and vegetable industry to exploit in the coming time, aiming to achieve export target of 7 billion USD this year.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn