Durian accelerates fruit and vegetable exports, aiming for 7.6 billion USD target

Dak Lak durian is stamped, ready for export. (Photo: Hoai Thu/VNA)

Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports are on the path to a clear recovery after a period of negative growth in early 2025. One of the main drivers of this recovery is the impressive return of durian - a key product in the fruit and vegetable group.

Along with that, efforts to improve quality, tighten supply chains and diversify markets have created a solid foundation to help the fruit and vegetable industry gradually regain growth momentum in the context of many fluctuations in the global market.

According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, with the current momentum and abundant durian output from now until November, the export target of 7.6 billion USD set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment this year is completely feasible, and may even approach the 8 billion USD mark.

After 7 months, the export value of fruits and vegetables reached 3.92 billion USD, up 0.9% over the same period in 2024.

The strong growth of Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports is due to the recovery of exports to the Chinese market.

Besides durian, exports of many other fruits and vegetables such as coconut, passion fruit and processed mango also witnessed impressive growth, showing the diversity in Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said that durian exports have now returned to normal after a period when many shipments were warned about cadmium residue and yellow O in the Chinese market.

Since May 2025, under the coordination of localities, businesses and people, durian exports have gradually recovered and regained growth momentum.

To maintain and expand the market, especially for high-value products such as durian, Mr. Huynh Tan Dat, Director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, said the industry will build a map of cadmium contamination in growing areas.

Durian is carefully classified before being packed for export to China. (Photo: Nguyen Dung/VNA)

This is the key solution to ensure food safety, comply with international standards and create conditions for Vietnamese durian to penetrate deeper into high-end markets such as the EU, US, Japan, Korea...

Along with quality management in the growing area, businesses are also proactively tightening control processes from the purchasing and packaging stages.

According to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, many businesses currently only purchase durian from farms certified as cadmium-free. They then conduct another inspection at the warehouse to ensure the product meets standards before exporting.

This method not only reduces risks but also enhances the reputation of Vietnamese products in the international market.

Besides durian, many other processed products such as coconut, passion fruit, mango, etc. also recorded positive growth. Notably, although exports to China in the first 6 months of the year decreased by 24.3% compared to the same period, many other markets such as the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, etc. grew strongly.

Notably, fruit and vegetable exports to the US in the first 7 months of this year reached 216 million USD, an increase of 66% - the highest growth rate among the 15 largest export markets.

Passion fruit production line of Quicornac Company Limited (Tra Da commune, Pleiku city, Gia Lai province) in 2023. (Photo: Hong Diep/VNA)

Although the United States currently accounts for only over 8% of Vietnam's fruit and vegetable market share, this is a market with very strict requirements on quality standards, food hygiene and safety, labels and packaging.

Therefore, successful exports to the United States not only bring economic value but also serve as a measure of the quality, compliance capacity and brand reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment also clearly oriented that to achieve the target of 7.6 billion USD by 2025, the fruit and vegetable industry needs to focus on diversifying markets, taking advantage of signed free trade agreements such as with Japan, Korea, EU, China...

In addition to exporting fresh fruit, it is necessary to promote processed products, especially products from coconut, mango, etc. to expand growth margin and limit risks from the fresh market.

Meanwhile, the Chinese market - still the largest export market for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, accounting for over 50% of total export turnover - is also changing in consumption trends, with higher requirements for quality, plant quarantine and packaging specifications.

Mr. Nong Duc Lai, Vietnam's Trade Counselor in China, noted that to effectively export to this market, Vietnamese enterprises need to synchronously implement key solutions.

First of all, improve product quality, strictly comply with regulations on technical standards, packaging and traceability.

Second is to promote investment and application of technology in production, processing and preservation to increase added value.

Third is to strengthen trade promotion, especially in the northern and northwestern provinces of China - areas with rich potential but not yet effectively exploited.

An Giang green-skinned elephant mangoes exported to the Australian and US markets. (Photo: Thanh Sang/VNA)

In addition, businesses also need to pay attention to improving designs and packaging to suit Chinese consumers' tastes and especially building and registering brands right from the time they prepare to enter the market, instead of waiting until the product has a foothold.

Taking advantage of opportunities from other potential markets such as the EU, Japan, and South Korea is also being promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

These markets are not only stable but also have high purchasing power, especially for tropical fruits in which Vietnam has strengths.

In the context of an increasingly competitive market and increasing technical requirements, the Vietnamese fruit and vegetable industry cannot develop sustainably if it only relies on output or price.

Instead, building a quality supply chain, controlling food safety from the source, applying modern technology to processing, diversifying markets and building strong brands will be the key to maintaining growth momentum and going further in the international market.

Source: VNA

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/202508/sau-rieng-keo-xuat-khau-rau-qua-but-toc-huong-toi-muc-tieu-76-ty-usd-4731803/