The strengthening of exports to the Middle East through flexible measures is opening new directions for Vietnamese agricultural products, as the UAE market not only increases imports but also plays the role of a transshipment gateway for the entire Gulf region.

Recent signals show a distinct shift in market approach, from logistics methods to the systematic building of supply chains aimed at high value and long-term stability.

Middle East exports accelerate through flexible logistics and stockpiling demand

Exporting to the Middle East is not a new story. For many years, Vietnamese agricultural products have been delivered to this region primarily by sea with reasonable costs and stable volumes.

However, since the beginning of 2026, as regional situations fluctuated and affected several sea routes, businesses have been forced to change their approach to avoid market disruption.

Recently, nearly 100 tons of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables departing from Tan Son Nhut Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) were transported by air to the UAE through the distribution system of Lulu International Group.

The shipment included lemons, dragon fruit, grapefruit, and jackfruit—key commodities from the Southern region. This marks the first time a Middle Eastern enterprise has proactively chartered aircraft to import Vietnamese agricultural products rather than relying entirely on maritime transport.

Mr. Truong Xuan Trung, First Secretary in charge of the Vietnam Trade Office in the UAE, stated that this decision was made directly by the Chairman of Lulu Group to ensure supply amidst maritime transport difficulties.

Despite air freight costs being significantly higher than sea freight, the enterprise accepted the expense to stabilize supply and maintain the presence of Vietnamese produce in the distribution system.

According to evaluations from UAE importers, the quality of Vietnamese agricultural products has continuously improved, particularly in the groups of cashews, coffee, spices, and tropical fruits.

In 2025, agricultural exports to the UAE reached over 445 million USD, an increase of nearly 24% compared to the previous year, indicating vast potential for exports to the Middle East in the coming time.

The Q1/2026 report from the Vietnam Trade Office in the UAE shows that the market remains stable, with the PMI (Purchasing Managers' Index) staying above 50 points.

Notably, the UAE has activated a national food reserve plan for 4-6 months, leading to high demand for imports, especially processed foods, dried fruits, nuts, and canned products. These are product groups where Vietnam holds many advantages for Middle East exports.

Amid disruptions in some transport routes through the Strait of Hormuz, major retail groups like Lulu or Al Maya have increased air imports to ensure supply.

The Vietnam Trade Office in the UAE assessed that this opens further opportunities for Middle East exports, especially for high-quality items with rapid response capabilities.

Expanding Middle East exports require higher standards and reduced dependence

Beyond being a consumption market, the UAE is becoming a transshipment hub for exports to the Middle East.

With a modern logistics system and a retail network covering more than 20 countries, groups like Lulu help Vietnamese goods penetrate deeper into the entire Gulf region.

Significantly, the CEPA agreement between Vietnam and the UAE, which took effect on February 3, 2026, is providing a major boost as many items now enjoy immediate 0% tariffs.

According to the Vietnam Trade Office in the UAE, this advantage makes Vietnamese goods at least 5% more price-competitive than rivals without an FTA, thereby increasing the momentum for Middle East exports.

Parallel to opportunities are increasingly stringent requirements. Mr. Tran Ngoc Tu, Director of the Trang Bom Agricultural Service Trade Cooperative (Bau Ham Commune, Dong Nai Province), stated that the unit has shifted to production under high-quality linkage chains, strictly controlling pesticide residues from the input stage.

According to Mr. Tu, failure to meet standards would result in not only a loss of value but also the risk of losing the Middle East export market in the long term.

Mr. Tu also noted that banana exports currently rely approximately 80% on the Chinese market, which poses many risks when policies change.

Therefore, promoting exports to the Middle East is identified as an important direction for market diversification. "At the same time, the Cooperative maintains other demanding markets such as Japan, South Korea, and the EU to ensure sustainable growth," Mr. Tu said.

According to statistics, in the first quarter of 2026, fruit and vegetable exports reached 1.53 billion USD, a 31.4% increase over the same period.

According to the Agency of Foreign Trade (Ministry of Industry and Trade), regarding the export market structure for March and the first quarter of 2026, China remains the mainstay for Vietnamese produce. However, other markets are showing clear differentiation. Exports to the US, South Korea, Malaysia, Germany, and the Netherlands have grown strongly, showing the effectiveness of business efforts to diversify markets.

Exporting to the Middle East at this time also comes with risks, such as increased logistics costs due to fuel prices, high insurance fees, and competition from India, Egypt, and South Africa—countries with closer geographical advantages. Additionally, payment risks should be noted as some partners may delay payment times.

However, the Vietnam Trade Office in the UAE observes that if quality is well-controlled, CEPA incentives are utilized, and supply chains are built systematically, the UAE can serve as a springboard for Vietnamese agricultural products to penetrate deeply into the entire Middle Eastern market in the coming years.

Source: Bao dien tu Dan Viet