Fruit and vegetable exports see robust growth over 4 months

Vietnam’s exports of fruit and vegetables jumped 29.1% to US$1.32 billion during the first four months of the year, according to preliminary statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

This is the first time that exports of fruit and vegetables have exceeded the earnings from crude oil (US$668 million) and set the highest record for growth in years. 

Vietnam’s fruit and vegetables have penetrated 60 countries and territories with many stable markets such as China, Japan, the US, and the Republic of Korea. It is noteworthy that Vietnamese products have been exported to Thailand and Indonesia, which are agricultural strongholds in themselves.

China remained the largest importer of Vietnamese products, buying US$988.77 million in four months, accounting for 75% of Vietnam’s total fruit and vegetable exports, up 30.3% against the same period last year.

The general picture shows that exports to most markets obtained growth over the period, with leading markets being Southeast Asia (up 19.4% to US$56.39 million), the US (up 12.3% to US$38.84 million), Japan (up 15.9% to US$36.55 million), and the EU (up 11.8% to US$32.22 million).

A stand out performer, despite the modest export value of US$0.82 million, Cambodia became the fastest growing market with export growth of 279%.

Some markets saw a decline in exports, including Indonesia (down 77.6% to US$0.25 million), Ukraine (down 33.6%), the UK (down 22%), and Russia (down 15%).