Vietnam boosts fruit and vegetable imports in 2024, but faces trade challenges with U.S

From January to October 2024, Vietnam imported fruits and vegetables worth nearly US$1.87 billion, marking a year-on-year growth of 15.7%, a local media reports.

The main suppliers include China, the United States, Australia and Myanmar. China led exports to Vietnam with a contribution of $794 million, representing 42.5% of the total, and a year-on-year increase of 21.2%, although a slight monthly decrease of 4.6% was recorded in October. The United States was in second place with $336 million, equivalent to 18% of total imports and an increase of close to 30% compared to the previous year. Among the most imported products from the United States were grapes, apples, oranges, cherries, pears, blueberries, peaches and nectarines.

In 2023, U.S. agricultural exports to Vietnam reached $3.1 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Key products covered fresh fruits, nuts, soybeans, grains and wheat, among others. However, significant challenges remain for bilateral trade, as U.S. fruits face high import tariffs in Vietnam. Plums and tangerines have a 20% tariff, while blueberries are taxed at 15%. Official exports of tangerines, lemons and plums to the Vietnamese market are currently being negotiated.

During the recent seventh Vietnam-U.S. Business Summit, the U.S.-Vietnam Trade Commission (VTC) held its seventh annual Vietnam-U.S. Business Summit. UU, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính emphasized the need to move forward on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement to reduce trade barriers, establish a more favorable legal framework and foster stronger economic and trade relations between the two countries.

source: vietnamnews.vn, simfruit.cl

photo: vietnamnet.vn

.