(HSV VIETNAM GROUP) – In 9 months, fruit and vegetable exports reached nearly 5.7 billion USD, up 34% over the same period and equal to last year.
The above information has just been announced by the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association. Fruit and vegetable export turnover is at its highest level ever, with durian being the key product, reaching a value of 2.5 billion USD. Other fruits such as dragon fruit, banana, jackfruit and mango also contributed significantly to export growth.
Among the 10 main markets importing Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, most recorded strong growth, except the Netherlands. China continues 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. Following are the US, Korea and Thailand with import value growing by 35-90%.
Export businesses assess that Vietnamese fruits and vegetables are increasingly asserting their position in demanding markets such as the US, China and Korea. In particular, Chinese consumers increasingly favor Vietnamese durian, bananas and mangoes. In the US, Vietnamese agricultural products have also had more favorable access to this market in the past 9 months.
However, competition in the Chinese market is increasing. This country not only increased imports but also rapidly developed key agricultural products of Vietnam. Typically, dragon fruit, after 10 years, China's planted area has surpassed Vietnam's. Regarding durian, China is experimenting with planting 2,700 hectares on Hainan Island and seeking to self-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 regulations in the signed Protocol. More importantly, businesses must proactively build close links from growing areas to packaging facilities, combined with developing 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 it will coordinate closely with localities, businesses and packaging facilities to effectively implement the provisions of the Protocol related to frozen durian, helping to promote exports in the near future.
On August 19, Vietnam signed the Protocol to export frozen durian and coconut to China. Along with that, at the end of August, the US and Vietnam completed technical negotiations to get passion fruit licensed next year. This also marks 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 large markets such as China, the US and Korea, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports this year could reach a new record. It is forecast that the whole year's fruit and vegetable export turnover may exceed 7 billion USD, far exceeding the set target.
Ha Diem HSV