VIETNAM–U.S. FRUIT AND VEGETABLE TRADE TOPS US$1 BILLION FOR FIRST TIME

Staff handle durians at a packaging facility in Vietnam - PHOTO: VGP

HCMC – Trade in fruits and vegetables between Vietnam and the U.S. exceeded US$1 billion for the first time in 2025, reaching nearly US$1.5 billion, according to Vietnam Customs.

The figure marks an 8.5-fold increase over the past decade, rising from US$170 million in 2016 to about US$1.47 billion last year.

Vietnam exported US$547 million worth of fruits and vegetables to the U.S. last year, up 52% from 2024. Imports from the U.S. surged 66% to more than US$900 million, leaving Vietnam with a trade deficit of about US$354 million in the sector.

Over the past 10 years, Vietnam has consistently recorded a trade deficit in fruit and vegetable trade with the U.S., widening from just US$700,000 in 2016 to US$354 million in 2025.

The U.S. is Vietnam’s second-largest fruit and vegetable trade partner, after China. It is also the world’s largest fruit and vegetable importer, with annual imports averaging over US$50 billion. Mexico remains its top supplier, followed by Canada and South American countries. Vietnam currently ranks 13th among suppliers to the U.S. market.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT), said Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. totaled about US$550 million in 2025, up more than 50% year-on-year. He said this provides a foundation for Vietnam to target US$1 billion in exports in 2026 and gradually enter the top 10 suppliers to the U.S. market.

He attributed the growth to an expanding list of Vietnamese fruits approved for official export to the U.S., including pomelo, mango, dragon fruit, longan, lychee, star apple, rambutan, and coconut.

However, long shipping distances keep logistics costs high, weakening Vietnam’s price competitiveness against suppliers closer to the U.S. such as Mexico and Peru. Nguyen said Vietnam should focus more on processed products, especially coconut, pomelo and durian, to improve value and competitiveness.

He also warned of stricter technical barriers. From January 1, 2026, the U.S. will tighten requirements on traceability and food safety, particularly pesticide residue controls. Weak management of planting area codes and packing facilities in Vietnam could increase the risk of shipment rejections or import suspensions.

Source: The Saigon Times