Vegetable and fruit exports have seen a breakthrough in growth since the beginning of the year. According to data from the General Department of Customs, from the beginning of the year to March 15, 2024, vegetable and fruit exports earned over 1.03 billion USD, approximately three times higher than the same period in 2023.
| Fruit and vegetable exports surge in the first month of the year, earning nearly $1.25 billion in the first quarter. |
Demand for fruits and vegetables is recovering in many markets.
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung, General Director of Vina T&T Group, shared that the company's fruit and vegetable exports in the first two months of 2024 increased by approximately 15% compared to the same period last year. This is due to a strong surge in fruit and vegetable exports in the first month of the year, primarily as gifts during the Lunar New Year in Asia. Currently, the company exports longan, dragon fruit, and mangoes to the US and Australian markets, durian to China, and many other types of fruits and vegetables to Canada…
Ms. Nguyen Nam Phuong Thao, Business Director of Hoang Phat Fruit Co., Ltd., said that the company recently exported 13 tons of seedless mangoes to South Korea. The company plans to sign an agreement with the Cu Lao Gieng Cooperative to purchase 500 tons per year to continue exporting to the South Korean market, and may expand further in the future. Previously, the United States, Japan, and Australia also accepted imports of this product at relatively high prices. This is the result of investment in production focused on quality, involving collaboration between farmers, cooperatives, and export businesses.
According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT), following strong growth in 2023, fruit and vegetable exports in the first months of this year continued to show positive growth. Key export items include fresh coconuts, dragon fruit, pomelo, bananas, mangoes, and especially durian. Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Association, stated that fruit and vegetable exports in March were estimated at US$450 million. Therefore, fruit and vegetable exports in the first three months of 2024 could reach US$1.265 billion.
“China is Vietnam’s main export market for fruits and vegetables, accounting for about 62% in the first two months of 2024. The most prominent export item is durian, which is very popular with Chinese consumers. Durian has helped increase the export value of fruits and vegetables compared to previous years,” Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen shared.
Notably, exports of fruits and vegetables to notoriously demanding markets with very high quality requirements, such as the US, South Korea, Japan, and Australia, unexpectedly saw strong growth in the first few months of the year. Specifically, fruit and vegetable exports to South Korea reached $22 million, a 121% increase compared to the same period last year. Exports to the US also recorded a growth of 83%, reaching $22 million. Exports to Japan reached $16 million, a 53% increase. In Australia, fruit and vegetable exports also generated $9 million, a 75% increase compared to the same period last year. China remains Vietnam's largest fruit and vegetable export market, accounting for over 60% of the country's total export value.
To enter the high-end market, you must export through official channels.
Currently, Vietnam's fruit exports are facing fierce competition from Thailand and Malaysia. Sharing her thoughts on this issue, Ms. Ngo Tuong Vy, Director of Chanh Thu Fruit Import-Export Group JSC, stated: “If Vietnam excels in product quality, and farmers cooperate with businesses to create high-end product lines, we will have nothing to fear from any major power, including Thailand or Malaysia. Vietnam has great potential in terms of soil, climate, and year-round harvesting. Not only durian, but all other fruit products grown in Vietnam are delicious and of high quality. We need to promote Vietnam's unique varieties, cultivate them well, ensure consumer health safety, and promote national brands.”
To penetrate the larger market, many experts believe that goods need to quickly shift to official export channels with a long-term vision and focus on quality. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung argues that sustainable fruit and vegetable exports must be official and product quality guaranteed. We must ensure that we meet the technical requirements of importing countries in order to achieve sustainable exports and build a high-quality Vietnamese brand that is superior to goods from other countries, making it preferred by consumers in importing countries.
"Currently, we are going against that trend. Exports are only focused on quantity, and opportunistic buying and selling will damage our brand. Once we lose our brand, consumers will turn their backs, leading to unpredictable consequences such as losing markets…," Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung shared.
Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen stated that official exports allow goods to enter international markets in a proper manner. Officially exported goods can enter supermarkets and other official retail outlets. In contrast, unofficial exports are limited to markets or near borders, or sold under someone else's brand, making large-scale sales impossible. "Businesses wanting to enter high-end markets or supermarkets must export through official channels," Mr. Nguyen affirmed.
In addition, regulatory agencies also need to strictly control planting area codes, packaging plant codes, and product quality. According to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung, lax management will affect all Vietnamese goods, not just any single enterprise. "In my opinion, we need to focus on management. Only when we do a good job of management can we build a strong brand. We have also learned many lessons from small violations that have affected the entire Vietnamese agricultural sector," Mr. Tung advised.
Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen predicted that in the coming period, fruit and vegetable exports to the Chinese market will experience strong growth. China remains Vietnam's largest durian export market, followed by coconut. Coconut export revenue is expected to reach billions of USD. Other markets such as the EU and the East Coast of the US are affected by the Red Sea event, making long-distance shipping difficult, and some fruit and vegetable products do not meet preservation requirements. However, fruit and vegetable exports to the West Coast of the US, Australia, and Asian markets continue to maintain growth.
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