Fruit, vegetable exports likely to hit US$8.5 billion in 2025

The strong performance has laid a solid foundation for the sector to achieve the preset goal of raising export value of fruits and vegetables to US$8.5 billion this year, as the country continues to improve product quality, diversify markets, and adapt to new import regulations in foreign markets.

China remains the largest importer of Viet Nam's fruits and vegetables, accounting for 62.9 percent of total export value, followed by the U.S. with 6.6 percent and South Korea with 3.9 percent. Exports to Malaysia posted the fastest growth at 70.2 percent, while shipments to Thailand fell by 55.6 percent.

According to Vinafruit Secretary-General Dang Phuc Nguyen, the sector's growth has been driven by strategic fruits such as durian, banana, mango, jackfruit, coconut, and pomelo.

Vietnamese fruits have increasingly gained access to premium markets. Durian exports have recorded double-digit growth in destinations including the U.S., Canada, and Japan. In a notable development, Vietnamese pomelos were recently approved for import into Australia—an achievement that underscores the country's ability to meet stringent food safety standards.

"This success not only marks a milestone in export value but also reaffirms Viet Nam's standing on the global fruit and vegetable map—paving the way for sustainable growth and a stronger national agricultural brand," Nguyen said.

He stressed that to penetrate demanding markets such as Australia, the U.S., the EU, and South Korea, consistency and traceability are crucial. Farming zones must be properly planned, use the right varieties, and comply with VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards. "Each importing country has its own regulations. Without proper training, even minor mistakes can lead to the rejection of entire shipments," Nguyen cautioned. 

Thanks to its geographical proximity and fast delivery times, Viet Nam enjoys a strong competitive edge in terms of the freshness and quality of its fruits and vegetables in the Chinese market. However, to further expand its market share, Vietnamese exporters must strictly comply with China's regulations on quarantine, traceability, and packaging, while staying promptly informed of any updates or adjustments to the country's import standards for agricultural products.

The U.S. remains a promising market with significant growth potential for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables. Yet, high logistics costs continue to pose a major challenge, making many fresh products less competitive compared to those from Mexico, Canada, Chile, and Peru. To boost exports to the U.S., the sector is advised to focus on deeply processed fruits and vegetables that have longer shelf lives and are easier to transport. This approach also aligns with American consumers' growing preference for convenient, ready-to-use products that maintain both quality and nutritional value./.