FRUIT, VEGGIE EXPORTS NEAR US$5 BILLION IN JAN-AUG

Durian exports brought in around US$1.7 billion between January and August - PHOTO: KA

HCMC – Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports between January and August this year rose by 2% year-on-year to more than US$4.8 billion, driven by record durian shipments, official data showed.

Exports in August alone reached US$951 million, up 24.4% against July and 13% versus the year-ago period, marking the sector’s highest monthly value on record.

Customs data showed that China remained the leading market with shipments worth over US$678.3 million in August, accounting for 58% of total export value and up 15% from the same period last year.

Beyond China, exports to other markets such as the U.S., Japan, and the Netherlands also rose sharply, reflecting efforts to expand and diversify export destinations.

Monthly fruit and vegetable exports reached US$807 million in June, US$765 million in July, and US$951 million in August, lifting the January-August total to more than US$4.8 billion.

If this trend holds, annual exports may approach US$8 billion.

According to Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VinaFruit), durian has been a key factor driving the strong recovery of fruit and vegetable exports.

Thanks to abundant supply and the removal of cadmium residue warnings, durian alone had generated about US$1.7 billion by the end of August. In addition to durian, products such as coconut, passion fruit, and processed mango also recorded strong growth, contributing to the overall increase in export value.

Source: The Saigon Times