AsemconnectVietnam - Vietnam’s Fruit and Vegetable imports rise 24% in 2024, driven by China and U.S. Vietnam’s Fruit and vegetable exports Drop 29.21% in January. Vietnam’s Coconut exports reached 14-Year High. Vietnam’s Durian Exports to China Drop by 80% in the first half of February 2025.

Vietnam’s Fruit and Vegetable Exports Drop 29.21% in January
In January 2025, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports fell 29.21% month-on-month to US$374.50 million, according to the General Department of Customs.
China remained the largest market, accounting for 46.50% of total exports at US$174.13 million, though this marked a sharp 41.61% decline from December. The US followed with US$31.25 million (-22.45%), and Thailand ranked third with US$19.81 million (+5.00%). Among smaller markets, Cambodia saw the highest growth, surging 128.02% to US$2.18 million, while Kazakhstan rose 231.77% to US$502,086. Meanwhile, Taiwan (-57.95%) and Kuwait (-57.93%) recorded the steepest declines.The top five markets—China, the US, Thailand, South Korea, and Japan—accounted for 69.48% of total exports. Despite some growth in smaller markets, the overall decline was largely due to weak demand from China and other key destinations.
Vietnam’s Fruit and Vegetable Imports Rise 24%, Driven by China and U.S.
In 2024, Vietnam imported US$1.5 billion worth of fruits and vegetables from China and the U.S., accounting for nearly two-thirds of total imports. China contributed nearly US$1 billion, with a 25% increase in shipments, while U.S. imports rose by 64%, the highest growth among Vietnam’s 16 source markets.
Australia ranked third, exporting US$151 million worth of produce to Vietnam. In total, Vietnam spent US$2.4 billion on fruit and vegetable imports, marking a 24% increase. The main imports included apples, grapes, pistachios, and almonds.Trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Vietnam-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement have helped reduce tariffs and technical barriers, facilitating import growth. According to Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruits & Vegetables Association, imported fruits are high quality and competitively priced. China has started producing agricultural products that were previously imported from Japan and South Korea, but at a lower cost.
U.S. apples have gained popularity due to their affordability compared to those from New Zealand and Australia. Meanwhile, imports from South Korea, India, and New Zealand fell by 12-17% from 2023.
Vietnam’s Durian Exports to China Drop by 80%
Vietnam’s durian exports to China plunged by 80% in the first half of February 2025, with only 3,500 tonnes shipped. This decline has significantly impacted Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable export revenues, which fell to 416 million USD in January 2025, marking an 11.3% month-on-month decrease and a 5.2% drop year-on-year.
The primary reason for the slump is China’s stricter inspection measures, particularly for cadmium and Auramine O (BY2) residues, following violations found in Thai durians. From early 2025, China has mandated residue testing in accredited laboratories, prolonging export procedures and causing congestion at border gates. Some traders have turned to grey-market exports, but this is not a sustainable solution.
Vietnamese officials acknowledge that while China’s stricter controls aim to ensure food safety, they pose significant challenges for exporters. Despite warnings from China to improve quality control, many traders struggle to meet compliance standards. Efforts are underway to accelerate exports, with six more testing laboratories submitted for approval.
Vietnam currently has around 169,000 hectares of durian plantations, exceeding the 2030 plan. The government is implementing stricter quality management and negotiating with China to ease inspection procedures. Additionally, exporters are exploring alternative markets to reduce dependence on China.
Previously, Taiwan’s FDA also imposed mandatory inspections on Vietnamese durian from August 2024 to February 2025 due to multiple quality test failures.
Vietnam’s Coconut Exports Reach 14-Year High
In 2024, Vietnam’s coconut exports exceeded 1 billion USD, marking the highest figure in the past 14 years. Fresh coconut exports alone reached 390 million USD, a 61% increase from the previous year. Overall, fresh coconuts and coconut products totaled nearly 1.1 billion USD, reflecting over 20% growth from 2023.
Vietnam currently has 200,000 hectares of coconut plantations, producing about 2 million tonnes annually. One-third of this area meets organic standards for the US and Europe. The Ben Tre Siamese coconut has received geographical indication, with 133 designated plantation codes and over 8,300 hectares dedicated to export production.
Vietnam ranks 4th in the Asia-Pacific region and 5th globally in coconut exports. China is the largest market, accounting for 25% of export value, boosted by a 2024 protocol allowing official coconut exports. Vietnam now holds over 20% of China’s coconut market share.
Vietnamese coconuts are also popular in the EU, US, Canada, and South Korea due to their competitive pricing and natural sweetness. However, delays in fresh coconut exports have occurred due to shortages of plantation codes, packing codes, and raw materials. The Vietnam Coconut Association is working with authorities to simplify the issuance of plantation codes to facilitate exports.
T.Huong
Source: Vitic