Durian exports surged.

Durian exports in the first four months of the year reached $293.13 million, leading the entire fruit and vegetable industry. Photo: Hoang Giam .

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

According to the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MARD), this is the time when many key fruits such as durian, lychee, mango, and coconut enter their main harvest season. The abundant supply from domestic growing areas is expected to provide a strong impetus for export growth in the second and third quarters of this year.

Besides growth in scale, the structure of fruit and vegetable exports is also witnessing positive changes as the proportion of processed products continues to increase.

Preliminary data from the Customs Department shows that in the first four months of 2026, processed goods accounted for 35.82% of total fruit and vegetable exports, significantly higher than the 29.33% recorded in the same period of 2025. This trend contributes to increasing added value and reducing dependence on the seasonality of fresh fruit.

Officially exported goods to China under signed protocols continue to maintain stable growth. Among these, fresh and frozen durian continue to lead the entire industry in terms of export value.

Thanks to the advantage of off-season harvesting, the simultaneous approval of planting area codes, and the effectiveness of the Protocol on exporting frozen durian to China, the export value of this product in the first four months of the year reached US$293.13 million , an increase of 59.7% compared to the same period in 2015.

Besides durian, the nut and chestnut group also recorded a surge in growth. Exports of pistachios alone reached $224.63 million , an increase of over 204% compared to the same period last year.

Meanwhile, exports of coconuts and processed coconut products reached US$198.38 million (+15%), ranking fourth in the industry. Dragon fruit, jackfruit, and passion fruit continued to benefit from stable consumer demand in China, the US, and South Korea.

A notable positive development is the signing of a Protocol between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) regarding plant quarantine requirements for fresh pomelos and fresh lemons from Vietnam exported to China.

According to the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, the above results were achieved thanks to a lengthy technical negotiation process since 2019 between the specialized agencies of the two countries, demonstrating close coordination in harmonizing plant quarantine requirements and prioritizing market access for products with potential.

The signing of the Protocol on pomelo and lemon further affirms the trend of opening up the market in a formal, transparent manner and in accordance with international standards, while contributing to the improvement of the agricultural cooperation mechanism between Vietnam and China.

Also in April, the first shipment of fresh pomelos from Vietnam was exported by air to Australia. This event not only has commercial significance but also affirms the ability of Vietnam's fruit and vegetable industry to meet the stringent standards of the international market.