Fruit and vegetable exports exceed $8.5 billion mark

According to Vietnam Customs, fruit and vegetable exports reached nearly $400 million in the first half of December, bringing the year-to-date total to $8.2 billion. This marks the first time that annual fruit and vegetable exports have ever surpassed the $8 billion threshold.

Based on export figures from the first half of December, the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit) estimates that total exports for the month will reach $795 million. This would drive the full-year export value past $8.5 billion, a nearly 20% increase compared to 2024.

On the import side, the total import turnover for fruits and vegetables this year is estimated at $3 billion. Consequently, the industry is expected to achieve a trade surplus of over $5.5 billion in 2025.

The Chinese market remains the largest contributor to this historic $8.5 billion milestone. In the first 11 months of the year, exports to China reached nearly $5 billion, a 15% year-on-year increase, accounting for 64% of total export turnover.

Notably, despite the impact of tariff policies, exports to the U.S. market saw a remarkable growth of 56% over 11 months, reaching $500 million. Other markets with turnovers exceeding $100 million include South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the Netherlands.

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of Vinafruit, shared: "Earlier this year, the industry faced major challenges in the Chinese market due to technical barriers affecting our top export product, durian. Additionally, U.S. tariff policies also had some impact. However, thanks to the government's flexible responsive policies and the efforts of businesses, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export turnover has surpassed $8.5 billion for the first time. We hope that in 2026, the industry will make even greater breakthroughs to move towards the $10 billion mark."