In 9 months, fruit and vegetable exports reached nearly 5.7 billion USD, up 34% over the same period and equal to the whole of last year.
The above information has just been announced by the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association. Fruit and vegetable export turnover is at the highest level ever, with durian as the main product, reaching a value of 2.5 billion USD. Other fruits such as dragon fruit, bananas, jackfruit and mangoes also contributed significantly to export growth.
Among the 10 main markets for importing Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, most recorded strong growth, except for the Netherlands. China continued to be the largest market with import turnover in the first 8 months of the year reaching more than 3 billion USD, up 36% over the same period last year. Followed by the US, South Korea and Thailand with import value growth of 35-90%.
Exporters assess that Vietnamese fruits and vegetables are increasingly asserting their position in fastidious markets such as the US, China and South Korea. In particular, Chinese consumers are increasingly favoring Vietnamese durian, banana and mango. In the US, Vietnamese agricultural products have also had more advantages when accessing this market in the past 9 months.
However, competition in the Chinese market is increasing. The country not only increased imports but also quickly developed Vietnam’s key agricultural products. Typically, dragon fruit, after 10 years, China’s planting area has surpassed Vietnam. Regarding durian, China is experimenting with planting 2,700 hectares on Hainan Island and seeking to self-sufficiency in supply from countries with favorable climates.
According to experts, to cope with increasing competition, Vietnamese businesses need to focus on improving product quality, diversifying export markets and strictly complying with the provisions of the signed Protocol. More importantly, businesses must proactively build tight chains from the planting area to the packaging facility, combined with the development of a traceability system to ensure transparency when required. With frozen durian, businesses need to invest in freezing technology, improve techniques and improve product quality to meet international standards, thereby increasing competitiveness in the global market.
The Plant Protection Department said that it will closely coordinate with localities, businesses and packaging facilities to effectively implement the provisions of the Protocol related to frozen durian, helping to promote exports in the coming time.
On August 19, Vietnam signed the Protocol on the Export of Frozen Durian and Coconut to China. Along with that, at the end of August, the US also officially licensed Vietnamese passion fruit into this market, marking a new turning point for the agricultural product industry.
According to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen – General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, thanks to the growth of major markets such as China, the US and South Korea, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports this year can reach a new record. It is forecasted that the export turnover of fruits and vegetables for the whole year may exceed 7 billion USD, far exceeding the set target.
Source: vnexpress.net
