Exports recorded a double-digit decrease
The export of fruit and vegetables in the first 3 months of this year has continuously shown a downward trend compared to the same period last year. Accordingly, if in January 2025, the export turnover of fruits and vegetables reached 416 million USD, down 5.2% compared to the same period last year, then in February 2025, the export turnover only reached 303 million USD, down 6.5% compared to the same period last year.
Notably, the export of fruits and vegetables in March 2025 is expected to reach 420 million USD, although it increased by about 34% compared to February, but recorded the deepest decrease compared to the same period last year (down 10.5%). It is expected that in the first quarter of this year, the total export turnover of fruits and vegetables is estimated to reach over 1.1 billion USD, down over 13% compared to the same period last year.
Talking to reporters of Cong Thuong Newspaper on this issue, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh - Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit) - said that the sharp decline in durian exports was the reason for the double-digit decrease in fruit and vegetable export turnover.
In addition to the reason that durian is in the off-season (from November last year to March this year) so the output is low, the Chinese market has tightened the inspection of yellow O and cadmium for 100% of durian batches imported into this market, causing some enterprises specializing in exporting durian to the above market to proactively stop 'shipping' even though not all durian products of Vietnam exported to China do not meet the standards.
On the business side, talking to reporters of Cong Thuong Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung - CEO of Vina T&T - said that currently, the export orders to the Chinese market are mainly fresh coconuts. Regarding fresh durian, the unit has not yet resumed exporting and is implementing preparation steps to ensure the most effective export. "Each container of durian is worth several billion VND, if not carefully prepared, the goods exported through the border gate are destroyed or turned back, the loss to the enterprise is not small", said Mr. Tung.
The long-term story of the fruit and vegetable industry
The decline in fruit and vegetable export turnover in the first quarter also poses common problems for the Vietnamese fruit and vegetable industry. According to Mr. Le Thanh Hoa - Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), currently, not only China but also many large markets have issued new strict regulations on maximum residue levels of pesticides (MRL) and plant quarantine. In addition, there are technical barriers and compliance capabilities related to plant quarantine and food safety (pests, MRL, heavy metals, etc.).
Meanwhile, our fruit and vegetable industry chain organization is still fragmented and unprofessional. Most of the producers are small and fragmented; production costs are high; preliminary processing and preservation are not good, especially post-harvest handling. Quality management lacks technical standards and regulations; product quality inspection and assessment are mainly based on experience; there is a lack of machinery and equipment for assessment. Export transportation costs are high, by air, road and water compared to other countries in the region. Opening new markets for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables is also not easy. Major import markets such as China, the United States, South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand all have strict requirements in assessing the risks of opening the market, in addition to high requirements on pesticide residue levels. Especially the Chinese market in the last months of 2024 and early 2025.
Meanwhile, the ASEAN market has similarities in tropical fruit varieties similar to Vietnam (mango, durian, longan, dragon fruit, mangosteen, jackfruit, pineapple, coconut, ...) and has demand for exports to markets that Vietnam is exporting to.
Markets that do not require an assessment of the risk of opening have very high requirements on microbial contamination and pesticide residues, heavy metals, in addition to requirements on labor, environment and sustainable development.
Talking with reporters of the Industry and Trade Newspaper on this issue, agricultural expert Hoang Trong Thuy analyzed that the key factor for Vietnamese fruits to conquer demanding markets is to ensure strict standards on pesticide residues, which importing countries pay special attention to.
The story of growing area codes is an example. Not only does China require growing area codes for durian, but currently the export markets of the United States, EU, Australia, Japan, and South Korea also require growing area codes for some types of fruit. Vietnam exports fruits and vegetables to more than 40 countries and territories around the world. Major markets include: China, the United States, South Korea, Japan, etc. However, Vietnam's exports are dominated by the Chinese market due to its logistics advantages and the size of this market, accounting for more than 64%, with some fruits such as durian having a market share of more than 95%. The market is price-sensitive. The lack of market diversity increases the vulnerability of the industry.
In 2025, Vietnam aims to export fruits and vegetables to reach 8 billion USD. To achieve this figure, businesses need to make great efforts to overcome barriers in production processes, delivery processes, and improve quality to ensure the requirements set by importers for each market.
Currently, the country has issued 8,052 growing area codes and 1,596 packing facility codes for export. Notably, 93 agricultural, forestry and fishery products have been ranked as national brands, an increase of 11% compared to 2022.
Regarding the issuance and management of growing area codes, Mr. Do Duc Duy - Minister of Agriculture and Environment proposed to ensure consistency and transparency. In particular, there should be no distinction between growing area codes for domestic and export agricultural products.
"We must develop quality from the root to enter multiple markets," Mr. Tran Thanh Nam - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment - emphasized and said that the management of food safety quality in the coming time needs to be more substantive and suitable for each region. In particular, the agricultural sector in particular needs to change its thinking about food safety management according to the value chain.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn