Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports soar to record high in August

This marks a strong rebound for the industry, which is now on track to achieve an annual export value of USD 8 billion.

The August surge brought total exports for the first eight months of the year to USD 4.82 billion, up 2% compared with the same period in 2024. This marks a turnaround from the 0.3% decline recorded in the first seven months, when exports totaled nearly USD 3.9 billion. The previous monthly record was USD 917 million, set in September 2024.

A key driver of this recovery is durian. According to Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), durian exports have consistently generated strong revenue, supported by abundant supply and the resolution of earlier cadmium residue warnings. By the end of August, durian exports alone had reached approximately USD 1.7 billion.

Beyond durian, Vietnam's export portfolio is diversifying. Other items such as coconuts, passion fruit, and processed mangoes have also seen impressive growth, contributing significantly to the overall export value.

The robust recovery of the Chinese market has been instrumental in this success. In August, fruit and vegetable exports to China reached USD 678.3 million, a 41% increase from July and a 15% rise compared with August 2024. China remains Vietnam's largest fruit and vegetable market, accounting for 58% of the total export value in the first eight months of the year.

While China is a crucial partner, Vietnam is also making concerted efforts to expand into other markets to reduce its reliance on a single destination. In the first eight months, exports to the United States grew by 59.8%, Japan by 20.4%, Taiwan by 12.6%, and the Netherlands by 38.5%.

This expansion into new markets, especially with high-value processed products, is helping to mitigate risks and boost the industry's overall value.

Even with challenges in the first half of the year, Vietnam maintained its position as a top-three fruit and vegetable supplier to China. According to Chinese customs data, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports to China were valued at USD 2.3 billion in the first seven months of 2025, a 5.3% increase year-on-year. This lifted Vietnam's market share of China's fruit and vegetable imports to 14.9%, up from 14.5% a year earlier.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade's Agency of Foreign Trade projects a strong finish to the year. With export values remaining high, USD 807 million in June, USD 765 million in July, and USD 951 million in August, the sector is on track to reach the USD 8 billion target by the end of 2025 if the current momentum holds.

According to data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, fruit and vegetable exports in August saw strong growth in several key markets. Exports to China surpassed USD 678.3 million (primarily driven by durian), marking a 15% increase compared to August 2024. Exports to the United States reached USD 47.5 million, up 27%, while shipments to South Korea hit USD 28.6 million, an increase of 12%. Other significant gains were seen in Taiwan (USD 22 million, up 9.2%), Japan (USD 21 million, up 19%), the Netherlands (USD 15 million, up 52%), and Malaysia (USD 10 million, a remarkable 110% increase).

From June to August this year, export values remained consistently high, at USD 807 million in June, USD 765 million in July, and USD 951 million in August. With the total export value already exceeding USD 4.8 billion by the end of August, the sector is well-positioned to reach the USD 8 billion mark for the entire year if this pace is maintained over the final four months.

Durian is driving Vietnam’s record fruit and vegetable exports, with both fresh and frozen shipments rebounding sharply. Other products such as coconut, passion fruit, processed mango and bananas are also gaining ground, while exports to the United States, Japan, Taiwan and the Netherlands posted double-digit growth, Tridge reported.

However, the sector still faces hurdles. Earlier declines in exports to China stemmed from stricter checks on cadmium and auramine-O residues. Performance is also closely tied to the durian harvest, with strong results in August offsetting weaker months earlier in the year. To sustain growth, Vietnam must meet strict safety standards in markets such as the EU, U.S., Japan and Korea.