Fruit exports set target of US$4 billion next year

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, revealed that a series of Vietnamese fresh fruit products such as bananas, durians, and passion fruits have been officially exported to the Chinese market this year.

Furthermore, Vietnamese pomelos and lemons are also permitted to enter the New Zealand market, while fresh longans have been allowed to penetrate the Japanese market.

According to statistics compiled by the General Department of Vietnam Customs, fruit and vegetable exports during the initial 11 months of the year reached more than US$3.1 billion, with exports anticipated to gross US$3.4 billion by the end of the year.

Saw Lean Joo, general director of AGRO QL Joint Stock Company in Ho Chi Minh City, said the demand for processed fruit products remains stable amid the global demand for fresh fruit predicted to rise significantly in December and January next year

Despite this positive outlook, local firms have been advised to improve product quality in a bid to meet stringent standards set by the importing countries

Bien Tan Tai, deputy director of Binh Thuan Department of Industry and Trade, revealed that Binh Thuan dragon fruit are mainly exported to the Chinese market, adding that the consumption of dragon fruit from now until the end of the year will prosper. This comes amid the northern neighbour facilitating the export of Vietnamese agro-forestry and fishery products via border gates and moving to ease COVID-pandemic measures.

With regard to prospects for export markets, Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, forecast that Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports will continue to enjoy robust growth ahead during the remainder of the year, with an average turnover of between US$250 million and US$260 million per month.

Fruit and vegetable exports have the potential to reach US$3.4 billion this year and US$4 billion next year thanks to the signing of protocols and 15 signed free trade agreements (FTAs), along with the decrease in freight rates, Nguyen noted.