High potential for fruit and vegetable exports.

Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports have consistently increased and reached a record high last year. However, the country still has significant potential and room for further growth in fruit and vegetable exports in the future.

Processing and packaging fresh coconuts for export at a business in Vinh Long province.

Increase production and exports.

Vietnam has favorable land and climate conditions for producing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Leveraging this advantage, localities have increased planting areas and applied advanced techniques and new varieties to production, resulting in a very large output of fruits and vegetables, exceeding 30 million tons per year. In particular, the area under fruit trees has continuously increased, especially for fruit trees with favorable export markets such as durian, rambutan, longan, jackfruit, and coconut. In recent years, Vietnam's fruit production has reached over 13 million tons per year. By the end of 2025, the country will have 1.328 million hectares of fruit trees, an increase of 27,200 hectares compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the area under vegetable cultivation reached over 1 million hectares last year, with a production of 19.6 million tons, an increase of 519,500 tons compared to the previous year.
Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export value has consistently increased, generating significant foreign exchange revenue for the country and contributing to improved income and living standards for many households. Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export turnover surpassed US$1 billion in 2013 and has continued to grow in subsequent years. In 2024, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports to international markets reached over US$7.1 billion, an increase of over 27% compared to the previous year. In 2025, the export turnover is projected to reach a record high of over US$8.56 billion, a 20% increase compared to the previous year and significantly higher than the planned target of US$8 billion.

This success is due to the active involvement of central and local authorities in improving the capacity for production, preservation, processing, and consumption of products. Active support for people and businesses in expanding markets and promptly resolving difficulties and obstacles has helped our country's fruit and vegetable products overcome technical barriers to develop exports. Many experts, businesses, and industry associations predict that if we continue to leverage our strengths in production and take advantage of market opportunities, especially the benefits from free trade agreements (FTAs), our fruit and vegetable exports will continue to grow strongly in the coming time.

Aiming for an export turnover of 10 billion USD.

In recent times, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, along with central and local ministries and agencies, has focused on developing planting area codes and packaging facility codes, and promoting trade and negotiating market access for fruit and vegetable exports. As a result, the consumer market has expanded, and fruits and vegetables are being officially exported to many international markets. To date, localities nationwide have been granted 9,336 planting area codes and 1,379 packaging facility codes to serve the export of fresh fruits and vegetables such as dragon fruit, mango, star apple, banana, pomelo, passion fruit, seedless lemon, longan, lychee, chili peppers, and black jelly.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam is also rapidly increasing the proportion of high-quality, advantageous products. Several major, key agricultural products have affirmed their position and competitiveness in the world market. The Chinese market has signed a Protocol for bananas, watermelons, mangosteens, fresh coconuts, fresh and frozen durians, black jelly, sweet potatoes, and has issued temporary guidelines for chili peppers and passion fruit. Regulations for dragon fruit, longan, lychee, jackfruit, mango, and rambutan are being reviewed and standardized. The US market has granted export licenses for dragon fruit, longan, lychee, mango, rambutan, star apple, and pomelo. The Australian market has granted export licenses for mangoes, dragon fruit, longan, and lychee. New Zealand has granted export licenses for mangoes, dragon fruit, rambutan, lemons, and pomelo. The Japanese market has granted export licenses for dragon fruit, mangoes, longan, and lychee. The South Korean market has granted export licenses for dragon fruit and mangoes. Thailand has granted export licenses for dragon fruit, mangoes, longan, and lychee…

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, stated: "Fruit and vegetable export turnover has consistently grown by double digits in recent years and is projected to reach US$10 billion in 2026. However, the fruit and vegetable industry still has limitations and weaknesses that need to be addressed and changed. These include inconsistent fruit and vegetable quality, low uniformity, and the continued presence of banned substance residues in products. The traceability system is incomplete, and the issuance and management of planting area codes, packaging facilities, and the supervision of testing and certification facilities for export goods are still inadequate, affecting exports. The link between domestic production and consumption is not sustainable and is easily affected by market fluctuations."

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, to achieve the target of $10 billion in fruit and vegetable exports, it is necessary to focus on improving product quality and safety, ensuring that the appearance and quality meet consumer tastes and market demands. This needs to be communicated and thoroughly understood by producers and businesses participating in the supply chain. Specialized agencies should strengthen guidance, inspection, supervision, and enforcement of sufficiently strong sanctions to foster a sense of self-awareness among those involved in the supply chain. The Fruit and Vegetable Association is ready to cooperate and participate in these activities. In addition, functional agencies need to complete a modern, internationally connected traceability system to protect the rights of Vietnamese producers, consumers, and businesses. Furthermore, it is necessary to improve the inspection, assessment, and certification of exports, ensuring fast and reliable customs clearance for exported goods. Continue promoting the image of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables; boost trade promotion, increase frequency, diversify forms, and expand the scope. Support research and development of new varieties, post-harvest technologies, preservation methods, and strategies to extend the shelf life and consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Text and photos: KHANH TRUNG

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/nhieu-tiem-nang-xuat-khau-rau-qua-a197315.html