Fruit and vegetable exports in the first five months reached approximately $2.98 billion.

In May 2026, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports maintained a strong growth rate, thanks to a combination of market factors, domestic policies, and seasonal patterns.

According to the Import-Export Department ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ), May is the time when many of Vietnam's specialty and key fruits (such as durian, lychee, mango, coconut, etc.) are preparing to enter their peak harvest season. The abundant supply in domestic growing regions is a factor driving strong export growth in the following months of the second and third quarters of 2026.

According to estimates, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports in May 2026 reached US$614.8 million, an increase of 15.1% compared to the previous month, but a slight decrease of 0.3% compared to the same period last year. For the first five months of 2026, Vietnam's total fruit and vegetable exports are estimated to reach approximately US$2.98 billion, an increase of 29.4% compared to the same period in 2025.

Vietnam's total fruit and vegetable exports in the first five months of the year are estimated at approximately US$2.98 billion, an increase of 29.4% compared to the same period in 2015. Photo: NNMT.

In terms of export structure, there continues to be a strong shift from traditional fresh produce to higher value-added products. According to preliminary statistics from the Vietnam Customs Department, the proportion of processed product exports increased from 29.33% in the first four months of 2025 to 35.82% in the first four months of 2026, helping to increase added value and reduce dependence on the seasonality of fresh fruit.

Meanwhile, products exported through official channels with protocols to the Chinese market have shown stable export growth compared to other items.

Specifically, fresh and frozen durian led the entire industry in export value during the first four months of 2025, accounting for 14.26%. Thanks to the advantage of off-season durian (lasting until March), the simultaneous approval of planting area codes, frozen durian under the export protocol to China, and the low base of the same period last year, Vietnam's durian export value increased by 59.7% compared to the same period in 2025, reaching US$293.13 million in the first four months of 2026.

In the first four months of 2026, the nut and pistachio group experienced a surge in growth, becoming one of the items with a high proportion in the total value of exported fruits and vegetables. Accordingly, Vietnam's pistachio exports in the first four months of 2026 increased by 204.6% compared to the same period last year, reaching US$224.63 million.

Exports of coconuts and processed coconut products increased by 14.9% year-on-year, reaching US$198.38 million in the first four months of 2026, ranking fourth in the entire industry. Official exports to major markets have helped Vietnamese coconut products achieve stable growth.

Meanwhile, exports of fruits including dragon fruit, jackfruit, and passion fruit have seen positive growth thanks to strong and consistent demand from the Chinese, US, and South Korean markets.

Vietnamese pomelos have great opportunities to expand their export markets. Photo: NNMT.

Pomelo and lemon are export items with significant potential, as in April 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) officially signed a protocol on the export of Vietnamese pomelo and lemon to China.

According to the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, the signing of the protocol is the result of a systematic technical negotiation process, which has lasted since 2019, between specialized agencies of the two countries in the field of plant protection and quarantine.

This result not only reflects the close coordination and high sense of responsibility in harmonizing technical requirements, but also demonstrates the proactive approach of both sides in selecting and prioritizing market access for products with potential and advantages.

Against the backdrop of continuously strengthening and expanding agricultural cooperation between Vietnam and China, the signing of the protocol for pomelo and lemon further affirms the trend of opening markets through official channels, transparency, and adherence to international standards. It also demonstrates the continuity and continuous improvement of the bilateral cooperation mechanism.

Also in April 2026, the first shipment of fresh pomelos, having completed all necessary procedures, was exported by air and reached consumers in Australia. This event not only has commercial significance but also clearly demonstrates the capacity of Vietnam's agricultural sector to meet international standards. Simultaneously, it is the result of effective coordination between management agencies, businesses, and international technical support organizations throughout the market opening process.

The above results show that the fruit and vegetable industry continues to maintain its momentum thanks to its advantages in quality and market demand. However, to maintain sustainable growth, the industry needs to continue improving product quality, expanding standardized raw material areas, promoting deep processing, and proactively meeting the increasingly stringent requirements of the international market. This will be key to enabling Vietnamese fruits and vegetables not only to increase export turnover but also to enhance their position on the global agricultural map.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/xuat-khau-rau-qua-5-thang-dat-khoang-298-ty-usd-d814466.html