Coconut exports surpassed dragon fruit exports for the first time, earning over half a billion USD.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - In 2025, fresh coconuts will surpass dragon fruit for the first time, rising to second place with an export value of approximately 534 million USD, an increase of nearly 37% compared to 2024.

In 2025, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports are projected to grow impressively to $8.56 billion, a 19.8% increase compared to 2024. Of this, durian exports are expected to reach approximately $3.86 billion, accounting for over 45% of the total export value. Notably, coconuts have surpassed dragon fruit to become the second-largest export fruit, reaching nearly $534 million, an increase of almost 37% compared to 2024.

Dragon fruit ranked third with export value exceeding $525 million, a decrease of 1.5% compared to 2024. Following closely behind were pistachios at over $466 million, an increase of 72.3%; mangoes at $409 million, an increase of 10.4%; and bananas at $405 million, an increase of 6.6%.

According to the Import-Export Department ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ), the signing of the Protocol on exporting fresh coconuts to China has given a major boost to this product in the past year.

Despite facing intense competition, dragon fruit exports have maintained a high market share thanks to a shift towards markets such as India and the Middle East. Other products like mangoes, pomelos, passion fruit, and longan have recorded stable growth. Notably, passion fruit has accounted for a significant share (approximately 25%) of exports to the EU market.

Coconut farming is the livelihood of the majority of people in Ben Tre (Photo: Contributor).

Currently, China remains the largest market with a turnover exceeding $5.5 billion, thanks to the signing of additional protocols for frozen durian and fresh coconut, and the acceleration of the shift from informal to formal exports, which has helped stabilize order values.

The Import-Export Department's assessment of Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export market structure in 2025 shows that Vietnam is gradually reducing its dependence on exports to China and beginning to establish its brand in countries with high technical standards. In particular, the processed fruit and vegetable segment has increased to over 30% of the export product structure, helping to increase export value.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , Vietnam currently has approximately 200,000 hectares of coconut plantations, with an annual production of 2 million tons. Notably, about one-third of this area has achieved organic certification according to US and European standards, mainly concentrated in Central Vietnam and the Mekong Delta.

In the former Ben Tre province (now Vinh Long province), there are over 80,000 hectares of coconut plantations, the largest in the country. Coconut farming is the livelihood of more than 70% of the local population.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/xuat-khau-dua-lan-dau-vuot-thanh-long-thu-ve-hon-nua-ty-usd-20260124180353842.htm