Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports to China exceed $4 billion in 2024

Vietnamese fruits are reaching new markets, with pomelos now available in South Korea and passion fruits entering Australia. Agreements between Vietnam and China have also cleared the way for fresh coconuts and frozen durians to be exported to China. According to local media, this year, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports to China alone surpassed $4 billion.

Nguyen Quang Hieu, Deputy Director of the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), attributed this success to Vietnam's ability to meet strict import standards. Producers and exporters have shown greater awareness of regulations, enabling them to adapt to new markets effectively.

Efforts by Vietnamese authorities to align export agreements with Chinese regulations have brought significant advantages to farmers, cooperatives, and businesses. These include lower production costs and simplified administrative processes, particularly for products like frozen durians.

Off-season farming has also played a major role in boosting exports. Nguyen Quoc Manh, Deputy Director of MARD’s Crop Production Department, highlighted that off-season techniques have increased the economic value of crops such as dragon fruit, mango, rambutan, durian, and longan by 1.5 to 2 times. This allows Vietnam to supply fruits year-round, with durian being a key example.

However, challenges remain. Vietnam’s growing coconut processing industry is facing a shortage of raw materials. Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh, President of the Vietnam Coconut Association, noted that many factories in Ben Tre, the country’s coconut hub, are operating at only 10–15% capacity due to limited supply. Despite this, modern processing technology has elevated Vietnamese coconut products to international standards, with 2024 exports projected to hit $900 million.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, Director of MARD’s Department of Science, Technology, and Environment, emphasized the importance of fully utilizing coconuts in a circular agricultural model. Over 70% of Vietnam’s coconut export value now comes from processed products, which bring higher returns and benefit local farmers.

Nguyen Thanh Binh, President of the Vietnam Vegetable and Fruit Association, stressed the need to address challenges in exporting to distant markets like China. These include improving transport methods, reducing spoilage, and investing in post-harvest technology. Diversifying into processed products and expanding product variety will also help Vietnamese fruits remain competitive globally.

source: baolangson.vn

photo: wtocenter.vn