In the initial seven months of 2024, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports achieved over US$3.8 billion, marking a 23.4% increase from the previous year. July witnessed a notable 18% rise in export value, reaching $477 million. The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association attributes this surge to heightened market demand since the year's start, enhancing the export value. This upswing underscores the sector's ability to meet international quality standards.
Concurrently, Vietnam's fruit imports have seen a substantial rise, with over $1.2 billion spent in the first seven months, up by 12.7% year-on-year. The majority of these imports originated from China, the US, and Australia, focusing on temperate fruits such as apples, pears, and grapes. The association notes that these imports cater to domestic shortages or complement limited supplies.
Export dynamics indicate a significant leaning towards the northeast Asian market, with China and South Korea being the top destinations. China alone accounted for 64% of the total export value, equating to $2.1 billion, a 22% increase from the previous year. South Korea's imports, mainly comprising dragon fruits, mango, and grapefruit, surged by 57.9% to $164 million. The US market also showed robust growth, with a 32.4% increase in imports, valued at about $157 million.
Amidst these developments, the coconut industry emerges as a sector with potential, especially with ongoing negotiations to finalize quarantine requirements for fresh coconut exports to China. This market, with its substantial demand for fresh and processed coconuts, presents a lucrative opportunity for Vietnam's coconut industry, potentially augmenting its export revenue significantly.
Source: vietnamnet.vn