Fruit and vegetable exports gross nearly US$1.25 billion in Q1

This marks the first time that Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports have exceeded US$1 billion in the reviewed period, with major consumer markets being China, the Republic of Korea, the United States, Thailand, and Japan.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, attributed the recent robust export growth to the overseas sales of durian fruit.

Most notably, Thailand increased its purchases of Vietnamese durians, turning it into the fourth importer of Vietnamese fruit and vegetables.

As of the end of February, among the top 10 Vietnamese fruit and vegetable export markets, exports to Thailand grew by 125.9% to reach US$28.6 million on-year.

Nguyen pointed out that with tourism strengths, Thailand is capable of attracting a large number of Chinese tourists, many of whom love to eat durians. 

However, the Thai durian season lasts for only four months per year, while Vietnamese durian boasts a competitive edge thanks to its all-year around harvest. Therefore, Thailand tends to import the fruit in order to serve tourists.

Along with durians, major Vietnamese fruits and vegetable exports include dragon fruit, bananas, and mangoes.

Meanwhile, fruit and vegetable imports in the first quarter are estimated to be at nearly US$500 million, up more than 19% against the same period from last year.