Stable supply, export continue to accelerate
Fruit and vegetable sector continues to record positive signals in the first half of 2026 with stable production, abundant supply and exports maintaining high growth rates.
According to a report from Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to Ministry of Finance for the second quarter 2026 meeting of the Steering Committee on Price Management, export value of fruits and vegetables in the second quarter of this year is estimated at approximately US$2.18 billion, bringing total export value for the first six months to approximately US$3.65 billion, an increase of 17.8% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive growth rate in the context of many importing markets continuing to tighten regulations on quarantine, traceability and quality of agricultural products.
Regarding production, planted area of various vegetables in the first six months of the year reached 697,600 hectares, an increase of 1% compared to the same period last year; planted area of various beans reached 58,500 hectares, an increase of 1.5%. Supply of fruits and vegetables from key production areas such as the Mekong Delta, Southeast region, Central Highlands and northern provinces basically meets domestic consumption and export needs.
According to Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, vegetable market was generally stable in the second quarter thanks to abundant supply. However, prolonged hot weather and increased costs of materials and transportation caused localized price increases for some leafy vegetables and herbs at certain times.
For fruits, prices vary seasonally. Lychee prices increased due to reduced production while domestic and export demand increased. Conversely, mango and durian prices decreased compared to the first quarter as they entered their peak harvest season. Specifically, the average price of Cat Hoa Loc mangoes in the second quarter reached approximately 49,000 VND/kg, a decrease of over 20%; Ri6 durian prices were around 48,000 VND/kg, a decrease of nearly 30% compared to the previous quarter. However, overall for the first six months of the year, the prices of durian and many other key fruits remained higher than the same period in 2025.
Ministry of Agriculture and Environment assessed that supply of fruits and vegetables in the second quarter was ensured, with no shortages or unusual price fluctuations. Nevertheless, as many fruits enter their peak harvest season, localized price pressure may arise if storage, processing, and consumption capacity do not keep pace with the increase in production. According to forecasts, with abundant supply and stable market demand, fruit and vegetable exports are likely to continue their growth momentum in the remaining months of the year, while not putting significant pressure on domestic consumer prices.
To retain Chinese market, we must focus on the value chain.
In the fruit and vegetable export landscape, China continues to be the largest market, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the industry's total export value. However, this is also a market that is changing very rapidly in both import standards and distribution methods. Speaking at the first Vietnam-China Agricultural Trade Connection Forum, Mr. Vu Ba Phu, Director of Trade Promotion Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), stated that China's demand for tropical fruits continues to increase. Signing of more export protocols between the two countries for chili peppers, passion fruit, rice bran, bird's nests, jackfruit and opening of the market for pomelo and lemon is creating more room for growth for Vietnamese agricultural products.
In 2025, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports are projected to reach US$8.56 billion, an increase of nearly 20% compared to the previous year. Chinese market alone is expected to account for approximately US$5.5 billion. However, according to Mr. Vu Ba Phu, current opportunity no longer lies solely in increasing export volume. A notable change is the shift in China's distribution system from traditional wholesale markets to modern retail chains and e-commerce. This creates new demands for product quality, traceability, packaging, logistics, and the ability to fulfill orders quickly.
Furthermore, China is continuously improving regulations on planting area codes, packaging facilities, plant quarantine and food safety. Meanwhile, many regional competitors such as Thailand, the Philippines, and Laos are increasing their competitiveness across various fruit categories.
According to Mr. Phu, success of durian is clear evidence of enormous potential of Vietnamese agricultural products in Chinese market. However, this model cannot be applied mechanically to all products. "If we continue to export primarily as raw materials and compete on price, growth potential will increasingly shrink," he emphasized. Therefore, the focus in the coming period should not only be on opening more markets but also on building a sustainable export ecosystem, including developing standardized raw material areas, investing in deep processing, improving logistics and cold chain capabilities, promoting cross-border e-commerce, and strengthening linkages between management agencies, localities, associations and businesses.
Sharing same view, Mr. Zhang Lin, Chairman of Chinese Business Association in Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City Chapter, believes that Vietnam-China agricultural cooperation is currently enjoying many favorable conditions thanks to increasingly strengthened bilateral relationship, improved cross-border logistics connectivity and strong digital transformation process. According to him, development of smart customs, smart border gates, the application of QR codes in traceability, and a modern cold storage system are contributing to enhancing the transparency and competitiveness of agricultural products.
To effectively capitalize on opportunities from Chinese market, Mr. Chuong Lam proposed that Vietnam focus on three solutions: promoting the application of digital technology in production and quality management; promoting deep processing to increase value; and strengthening cooperation in logistics, cold storage, and harmonizing standards between the two countries.
According to experts, with a market size of over 1.4 billion people, China will remain the biggest growth driver for Vietnam's fruit and vegetable industry for many years to come. However, opportunities will belong to businesses that quickly shift from a volume-based export mindset to building value chains that meet the increasingly high standards of the market. This also serves as a foundation for the fruit and vegetable industry to maintain sustainable growth, aiming to surpass the export target set for 2025.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn