Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports totalled about 7.05 billion USD in the first ten months of 2025, up 14.4% year-on-year, sparking optimism that the sector will surpass the 8-billion-USD mark by year’s end.
China, the US, the Republic of Korea (RoK), and Japan continued to be Vietnam’s major import markets, offering strong potential for export acceleration in the remaining months of the year.
Sustained growth momentum
According to Nguyen Thanh Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VinaFruit), domestic enterprises have increasingly adopted high-tech production methods and strictly followed regulations on traceability, planting area codes, and packing facility codes. Compliance with food safety standards in importing markets has helped Vietnamese fruits and vegetables expand their global reach.
Durian remained the top-performing export, earning 1.94 billion USD in the third quarter, up 30.3% year-on-year. Although its total value in the first nine months fell slightly by 1.7%, it still brought in 2.76 billion USD. Exports of dragon fruit, banana, mango, jackfruit, and coconut also grew strongly, while lychee recorded an impressive surge, reaching 73 million USD, up 312.1% from a year earlier.
A notable highlight was the robust rise in processed fruit and vegetable exports, which accounted for 16.6% of total export value in the third quarter, reaching 507 million USD, up 47.4% year-on-year. China, the US, the RoK, the Netherlands, and Japan were among the main destinations.
Experts predict that key fruits such as durian, dragon fruit, and pomelo will continue to post strong growth to meet festival and Lunar New Year demand in major markets. Businesses are also stepping up preparations to ensure stable supply and efficient logistics.
Expanding presence in key markets
To achieve the 8-billion-USD goal, enterprises are encouraged to strengthen exports to China, the US, Japan, and Germany. According to China’s customs authority, Vietnamese fruit and vegetables accounted for 20% of China’s total imports, up from 17.9% last year.
VinaFruit General Secretary Dang Phuc Nguyen said to consolidate and expand their market share, Vietnamese exporters must strictly comply with China’s updated requirements on quarantine, traceability, and packaging, and stay abreast of regulatory changes.
Ngo Xuan Nam, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point (SPS Vietnam), noted that China’s Order No. 280, which replaces Order No. 248 on the registration of foreign food manufacturers, will take effect on June 1, 2026. He recommended that Vietnamese enterprises promptly review their documentation, update data, and adjust export procedures to meet new standards.
Meanwhile, the US remains a promising market, though high logistics costs continue to affect the competitiveness of fresh fruits compared to those from Mexico, Canada, Chile, and Peru. To overcome this, Vietnam is advised to focus on deep-processed fruit and vegetable products with longer shelf life and easier transportation, aligning with American consumers’ growing preference for convenient yet nutritious foods./.
