Growing up to 70%, fruit and vegetable exports could reach a record 5.5 billion USD

With total export turnover reaching 4.2 billion USD in the first 9 months of 2023, it is forecasted that for the first time , fruit and vegetable exports will bring in 5.5 billion USD in 2023 - the highest record ever.

Businesses are busy preparing for export orders. Photo: Hong Nhung

Bright spot in fruit and vegetable exports

Since the end of 2022, since a series of protocols were signed between Vietnam and China, fruit and vegetable exports have increased steadily in the first 9 months of 2023. In September 2022, the first shipment of durian from Vietnam was officially exported to this market and the export turnover of durian to China has continuously increased. In the last 3 months of 2022 alone, Vietnam exported a total of 40.8 thousand tons with a total turnover of 188 million USD. In the first 8 months of 2023, durian exports brought in 1.2 billion USD, 3 times higher than the whole year of 2022 and nearly 10 times higher than in 2019.

“Fruit exports have grown strongly since the first months of 2023 due to China opening its border gates, along with protocols signed since the end of 2022, creating momentum for exports in 2023,” said Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vina T&A Group.

Sharing with Lao Dong reporter, Mr. Nguyen Quang Hoa - Director of Duong Vu Company Limited - said that although he is a rice exporting enterprise, but with the sharp increase in China's demand for durian imports, he also tried his hand in this field to take advantage of the opportunity.

“This is the first time I have participated in collecting durian for export. Although the profit has not reached my expectation, it is also the first step for me to find my own way in this field. I am studying the market and will find my own way, how to export sustainably, not taking advantage of the season or "snatching" at small scale" - Mr. Nguyen Quang Hoa said.

Promote trade

Many import-export businessmen believe that fruit and vegetable exports could set a new record in 2023 - the highest ever. According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, fruit and vegetable exports in September 2023 are estimated to reach nearly 587 million USD, up 33.4% over the same period in 2022. In the first 9 months of 2023, fruit and vegetable exports reached 4.134 billion USD, up 69.1% over the same period in 2022.

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen - General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association - forecasts that there are 3 months left from now until the end of the year, which is also the time of holidays and Tet, so there is still a lot of room for fruit and vegetable exports. In particular, the remaining months are the harvest season of many types of fruits and vegetables with the country's output of about 7.6 million tons, the value of fruit and vegetable export turnover will be higher than the average of previous quarters.

“Fruit and vegetable exports could bring in more than 5.5 billion USD in 2023. In particular, durian exports to China will continue to set new records, making durian a new commodity with an export value of over 1.7 billion USD, contributing to the "billion-dollar" group of agricultural products,” Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen affirmed.

Businessmen in the import-export sector also commented that, in addition to durian, bananas, coconuts, dragon fruit, longan, rambutan, grapefruit... will continue to bring in large turnover values ​​this year. Ms. Pham Thi Van - Director of Cocosmile Co., Ltd. - said that in addition to exporting to Japan, Korea, Australia, and the US, the company is preparing for new markets.

“Currently, Vietnamese coconuts are exported to many countries, and the International Coconut Association also recognizes Vietnam as the country with the most diverse coconut products. Therefore, when there are more official export markets, the coconut industry will quickly join the billion-dollar club,” said Ms. Van.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Phung Duc Tien emphasized: To achieve the import-export growth targets, in October and the last months of the year, the MARD will coordinate with ministries, departments and branches to promote trade, negotiate to remove technical barriers, trade barriers and open the agricultural export market to traditional markets, markets with large total export turnover such as: US, China, Japan, Korea, ASEAN, Europe..., at the same time open new markets such as: Middle East, Africa...

Laodong.vn