Exports of vegetable and fruit grow strongly in many demanding markets

The key fruits of Vietnam such as dragon fruit, mango, banana, coconut, durian, jackfruit, litchi... maintained a positive growth.

Banana is the fruit that has the greatest growth in export value in the first 7 months this year.

Exports of vegetable and fruit of Vietnam are affected heavily by the Covid-19 pandemic as there were 4 continuos months decreasing in turnover.

Despite of what had happened, exports to many big or demanding markets reached a new height growth.

According to the Vietnam Industry and Trade Information Center (VITIC), exports of vegetable and fruit have reached US$ 230 million in August, reduced by 13.2% in comparison with July and 16.7% compared to the same period of last year.

Because of this reduction, August is the fourth continuos months of this year that saw the export turnover of vegetables and fruits decreased in comparison with the previous month due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.

But in the 7 previous months, the export turnover of vegetables and fruits had kept the growth in comparison with the same period of last year, the total turnover still grew in the first 8 months of 2021 with the growth of 11.8%, and reached over US$ 2.5 billion (included processed vegetables and fruits).

A bright spot in exports of vegetable and fruit by this time is the growth in many demanding markets like the US, Japan, Australia, Taiwan, etc.

Among the TOP10 of biggest markets of Vietnam’s vegetables and fruits, the US has the highest growth. Particularly in the first 7 months this year, exports of vegetables and fruits from Vietnam to this market reached US$ 134 million, increased by 49.3% compared to the same period of last year.

Other markets that had the high growth are Russia, Australia, Taiwan and Japan. In the first 7 months this year, the export turnover of vegetables and fruits to Russia reached US$ 48 million, increased by 47.6% compared to the same period of last year; the export turnover of vegetables and fruits to Australia reached US$ 47million, increased by 45.6%; the export turnover of vegetables and fruits to Taiwan reached US$ 66 million, increased by 25.3%; the export turnover of vegetables and fruits to Japan reached US$ 94 million, increased by 18.2%.

China is the biggest market for Vietnam’s vegetables and fruits. Although not achieved an impressive growth like the mentioned markets above, it also increased quite a lot.

In the first 7 months this year, the export turnover of vegetables and fruits to Chinareached US$ 1.3 billion, increased by 15.6% compared to the same period of last year.

The key fruits of Vietnam such as dragon fruit, mango, banana, coconut, durian, jackfruit, litchi... also maintained positive growth.

In the first 7 months this year, the export turnover of dragon fruit reached US$ 729 million, increased by 8% compared to the same period of last year; of mango reached US$ 220 million, increased by 27%; of banana reached US$ 178 million, increased by 52.1%; of jackfruit reached US$ 114 million, increased by 37.9%; coconut reached US$ 109 million, increased by 10.7%; of durian reached US$ 75million, increased by 27.1%; of watermelon reached US$ 50 million, increased by 57.6%; of litchi reached US$ 46 million, increased by 40.6%, etc.

According to the assessment of the Department of Exports and Imports (under the Ministry of Industry and Trade), exports of vegetable and fruit in the coming months will still be affected by the ongoing complicated situation of the pandemic in many provinces and cities across the country. In addition, the shortage of empty containers causes high transportation costs, which also significantly affects Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports.

However, exports of vegetable and fruit in the last months of the year still have many significant opportunities, especially in terms of market.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung, General Director of Vina T&T (headquartered in Ho Chi Minh city), said: “The demand of many markets is very large, we have tried our best, but now we can only meet 30 - 40% of the importers’ demand.”

Mr. Vu Ba Phu, Director of Department of Trade Promotion (under the Ministry of Industry and Trade) said: “The demand for Vietnam’s dragon fruit in the oversea markets is increasing. After the online trading events in agriculture products and foods sectors organised by the Department of Trade Promotion in collaboration with Vietnam’s Trade Offices and other societies, we appreciate that there are many importers are interested in developing the supply of high quality dragon fruit from Vietnam.”