According to information from the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, in the first 7 months of 2024, the export turnover of fruits and vegetables is estimated to reach more than 3.8 billion USD, an increase of 23.4% over the same period in 2023.

Among the top 10 import markets for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, most grew from 15% to 96%. China remained the largest market, accounting for 64% of total export turnover with 2.1 billion USD in the first half of the year, up 22% over the same period. This was followed by South Korea with 164 million USD and the US with more than 157 million USD, up 55% and 33% respectively.

Notably, Thailand - a competitor of Vietnam in exporting fruits and vegetables to China - also increased its purchases of Vietnamese goods, reaching 97 million USD in the first 6 months of the year, nearly double that of the same period last year. Durian, banana and dragon fruit were the main products contributing to the growth in export turnover in the first 7 months of the year.

According to the Import-Export Department - Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export activities will continue to be favorable in the coming time thanks to abundant domestic supply, and the demand in traditional and potential markets is on the rise.

Specifically, in Vietnam's largest fruit and vegetable export market, China, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable market share has increased sharply from 7.9% in 2022 to 13.99% in 2023. Currently, the competent authorities of Vietnam and China have completed technical negotiations and will soon sign the Protocol on the export of frozen durian. In addition, products such as medicinal herbs, coconuts and frozen fruits will also be opened for import by China in the coming time.

In addition to the Chinese market, the first months of 2024 also recorded a new development in Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports to Thailand, although this is the world's leading agricultural exporter and has many similar products to Vietnam.

In addition, data from the General Department of Customs shows that in the first 6 months of 2024, cashew nut exports reached 1.95 billion USD, up 18.7% over the same period in 2023. Coffee exports reached 3.22 billion USD, down 10.6% in volume, but up 34.5% in value over the same period last year. Pepper exports reached 634.2 million USD, down 6.8% in volume but up 30.5% in value.

The growing area code and traceability are the "passports" that ensure the brand of agricultural products.

Accordingly, the above items are constantly setting records in terms of selling prices in the domestic market. Specifically, coffee prices are at 127-129 thousand VND/kg; pepper prices fluctuate at 150-151 thousand VND/kg, at times increasing to 180 thousand VND/kg (in June); raw cashew prices are over 50 thousand VND/kg. These are all record high prices in recent years.

The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association forecasts that Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports this year could reach 7 billion USD, a record high ever thanks to abundant supply and increasing demand.

In particular, some fruits such as durian have entered the main harvest season; dragon fruit, pineapple, watermelon, mango, longan... will contribute to further growth in the Chinese market.

The largest durian growing area in Vietnam is currently in the Central Highlands provinces and will enter the peak harvest season in September and October. Last year, this was the period of record-high durian exports in Vietnam due to Thailand's out of stock.

In 2024, Vietnam's agricultural sector aims for an export turnover of 55 billion USD, with a GDP growth rate of 3.5%. The momentum in the first months of 2024 is a positive signal showing the efforts of the entire industry on the journey to realizing the goal.

The market has opened, the demand for agricultural, forestry and fishery products globally is forecast to increase, so improving the capacity to enforce regulations on product quality, labor, environment... in production and export will help Vietnamese agricultural products win big in the international market.

Issuing “Passports” for agricultural exports

In recent times, with the fierce competition between agricultural products in the world market, the issuance of international traceability certificates for agricultural products has become an urgent matter for the agricultural sector in Vietnam in general and the capital Hanoi in particular. Accordingly, the growing area code is considered an important passport for agricultural products to be exported. Therefore, the establishment of growing area codes is a very necessary task to create trust for consumers with products of clear origin, quality guaranteed to serve market demand, thereby contributing to bringing agricultural products to the world.

In addition, the issuance of growing area codes not only helps consumers and authorities easily trace the origin, meet the requirements of importing countries through production according to a certain process with pest control, ensuring food safety, but also helps farmers to be aware of the production issue closely related to product quality and price. At the same time, this can be considered the “key” in building trust in the quality and reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products in general in the international market as well as the economic benefits of farmers.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the establishment and issuance of codes for growing areas and packaging facilities have achieved many positive results, contributing to orienting production according to market demand, enhancing the reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products.

Up to now, 7,558 growing area codes have been granted in 56 provinces and 1,558 packaging facility codes have been granted for export to the following markets: China, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, the EU, etc.

In which, the Mekong Delta has the largest number of growing area codes in the country with 3,975 codes (accounting for 57%) in operation.

Dong Thap province has 2,469 growing area codes granted, the largest in the country, Tien Giang has 528 growing area and packaging facility codes, Ben Tre has 84 growing area and packaging facility codes.

Particularly for Hanoi, by the end of 2023, the city has 124 facilities granted growing area codes with a total area of ​​794.4 hectares. Of which, there are 56 facilities for rice, with a total area of ​​447.5 hectares; 27 facilities for vegetables, 86 hectares; fruit trees 34 establishments, 231.4ha and medicinal plants, ornamental flowers 7 establishments, total area 29.5ha. In addition, the authorities have inspected and supervised 43 establishments granted domestic growing area codes, the results show that 38 establishments ensure to maintain growing area codes according to regulations, 5 establishments have incomplete records of traceability logs.

Establishing growing area codes not only creates favorable conditions for consumption in the domestic market and export, but also has an impact, changing people's awareness and farming practices, shifting to production according to safety standards, towards a more professional and sustainable agricultural production.

It can be seen that in the period of Industrial Revolution 4.0, the development context, the competition of agricultural products is increasing and besides quality, the issue of traceability, food safety... is becoming more and more important.

Registering the growing area code is an important basis to affirm the quality of food hygiene and safety of agricultural products, thereby, not only building the trust of the capital's consumers in the quality of agricultural products, but also enhancing the reputation and brand of the capital's agricultural products in the domestic and foreign markets.

Source: thuonghieucongluan.com