AsemconnectVietnam - According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), it is estimated that in March fruit and vegetable export reached 421 million USD, down 10.5% over the same period last year.

This is the third consecutive month that fruit and vegetable export turnover has decreased; in complete contrast to 2024, this industry accelerated from the beginning of the year and lasted for 12 months. In the first three months of 2025, fruit and vegetable exports reached only 1.1 billion USD, down 13.2% compared to the same period last year. The main reason is that durian - accounting for half of the industry's turnover - encountered difficulties when China required testing for cadmium residue and yellow O, causing customs clearance time to be extended. Products exported from Vietnam are only tested at a certain rate. When they arrive at the Chinese border gate, they take samples for re-testing. If the product fails, it will be returned. This makes it difficult not only for fresh durian but also for frozen products, and many businesses do not dare to enter the market.
Besides, other markets such as the US and Europe also strengthen regulations on inspection of imported goods standards.
Fruit, vegetable exports to US rise by 39%
The U.S. imported US$358.4 million worth of fruits and vegetables from Vietnam last year, a 39% jump from 2023. It was Vietnam’s second biggest market for produce after China, customs data showed.
Coconut, dragon fruit, mango, and almond dominated Vietnam’s exports to the world’s largest economy. Nearly $78 million worth of coconuts was bought, a 54% increase.
Dragon fruit exports rose by 32%, and those of mangoes and almonds by 3.2 and 4.5 times. But durian shipments declined by 34%.
While exports to the U.S. rise steadily thanks to the large Vietnamese communities in its major cities, its geographical distance from Vietnam makes it difficult to increase them to billions of dollars worth unlike exports to China, analysts said.
Blue dragon fruit becomes Vietnam’s leading fruit export in January
In January, blue dragon fruit became Vietnam’s biggest fruit export, raking in a revenue of US$58 million, while durian lost its “king” export status, as its revenue plummeted by 73%, down to US$31 million.
For two consecutive years, durian took the lead among Vietnam’s fruit exports. Data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs show a sharp decline in the value of durian exports, especially those to China.
Specifically, durian exports to China in January reached only US$18 million, down more than 83% compared to the same period last year, with Vietnam’s total durian export value in the same month reaching only US$31 million.
According to a report by the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, blue dragon fruit export value in January totaled US$57.73 million, down 9.8% year-on-year but up 34.5% from December 2024. Meanwhile, durian exports in the same month only reached US$31.22 million, down 73% compared to January 2024.
Vietnam’s fresh produce exports to China plunge 43 per cent
Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports to China dropped 43 per cent in the first two months of 2025, according to reporting from Tuoi Tre News. Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development revealed the country exported US$350mn worth of fruit and vegetables in February, bringing the total value for the first two months of 2025 to US$724mn – a drop of over 25 per cent from the US$970mn reached in the same period last year.
According to Tuoi Tre News, China reported the sharpest decrease among Vietnam’s 15 largest export markets, at 43 per cent. The sharp decline is likely due to China’s increased requirements for imported fruit, following the discovery of Auramine O (also known as Basic Yellow 2 or BY2) residue in durian shipments from Thailand late last year.
China now requires all durian exporters to carry out pre-export checks for cadmium and Auramine O at laboratories accredited by China. The changes have caused significant processing delays and fruit has from Vietnam and Thailand has been turned away at the border. There have also been reports of spot checks by Chinese authorities which has delayed the clearance process further.
Australian plums officially launched in Vietnam fruit market
Australian plums have officially entered the Vietnamese market through launch events held in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Organized by Summerfruit Australia and Horticulture Innovation Australia (HIA), the events marked the formal introduction of Australian plums to local consumers and trade stakeholders.
The events brought together representatives from more than 20 retailers, importers, and fruit store chains across Vietnam. Officials from Austrade Vietnam, AusCham Vietnam, and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry also attended, along with social media influencers focused on healthy lifestyles and food-related content.
Attendees participated in tasting sessions, sampling different varieties of Australian plums. The events also included discussions on fruit quality, storage, and supply chain logistics, as well as a cooking demonstration showcasing ways to incorporate plums into culinary applications such as desserts and beverages. These activities aimed to highlight the fruit's potential appeal to the food service and retail sectors.
T.Huong
Source: Vitic