Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export turnover is accelerating powerfully, for the first time surpassing 1 billion USD in July and approaching the 5 billion USD mark after merely the first 7 months of 2026. Core momentum stems from the recovery of durian exports, alongside the growth trajectory of numerous fruit commodities and processed fruits and vegetables, opening up positive prospects for the sector in the final months of the year…

According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), in July 2026, nationwide fruit and vegetable exports reached approximately 1.06 billion USD, up 38% compared to the same period in 2025. This marks the first time fruit and vegetable export turnover has surpassed the 1 billion USD mark in a single month. Cumulatively for the first 7 months of 2026, export turnover reached approximately 4.76 billion USD, up 23% compared to the same period last year.

This result reflects the strong recovery of the fruit and vegetable sector following a volatile period, while simultaneously demonstrating the efficacy of elevating product quality, diversifying markets, and fulfilling the standards of importing nations day by day.

DURIAN CONTRIBUTES 50% OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE EXPORTS

Durian continues to serve as the core export commodity, contributing over 50% of the entire sector's total export turnover and holding a role as an important growth driver.

"Standard-compliant supply, low heavy metal residue ratios in key growing regions across the Central Highlands and the Southeast, alongside tight quality controls from harvesting to packaging have assisted enterprises in bringing durian back to multiple major markets such as China and Thailand," Vinafruit evaluated.

Domestic durian prices are also exhibiting a recovery trend following a prolonged quiet period. According to several enterprises, in recent weeks, durian prices increased by around 5,000-7,000 VND/kg depending on individual varieties. If in previous months Vietnamese durian had to compete fiercely with supply from Thailand, currently that country has concluded its harvest season while Vietnam enters its main crop season, creating clear advantages in the market.

Beyond durian, multiple other commodities such as coconut, mango, banana, passion fruit, and processed fruits and vegetables also recorded positive growth rates. According to experts, from durian step-by-step reclaiming its position to the rise of banana and passion fruit, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable sector is step-by-step repositioning on the global agricultural product map, heading toward goals not only to increase output but also to elevate quality and expand markets in a sustainable direction.

MARKETS CONTINUE TO EXPAND

China continues to serve as the largest export market for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables. In June 2026 alone, export turnover to this market reached 621.2 million USD, up 56.1% compared to the previous month and up 18.1% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first 6 months of 2026, exports to China reached approximately 2 billion USD, up 24.7%, occupying around 55% of the entire sector's total export turnover.

Growth momentum in the Chinese market is maintained thanks to stable demand for tropical fruit varieties such as durian, dragon fruit, banana, fresh coconut, and mango. Simultaneously, customs clearance activities at border gates have improved alongside enterprises proactively fulfilling regulations on growing area codes, packaging facilities, and origin traceability, contributing to shortening clearance times and elevating export efficiency.

In parallel with the core market, high-value-added markets also continue to record positive growth rates. The United States serves as the second-largest export market with turnover reaching 59.4 million USD in June, up 9.4% compared to the previous month and up 10.2% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first 6 months of 2026, exports to the United States reached 292.1 million USD, up 11.7% compared to the same period last year, occupying 7.9% of total export turnover.

South Korea continues to hold third position with turnover of 28.7 million USD in June. Despite decreasing 7.5% compared to the previous month due to seasonal factors, this market still increased 6.4% compared to the same period last year. Overall for the first 6 months of 2026, exports to South Korea reached 170.4 million USD, up 8.1% compared to the same period last year, occupying 4.6% of total turnover.

Notably, the European Union (EU) continues to emerge as a bright spot thanks to effectively utilizing preferences under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). In June, export turnover to the EU reached 46.8 million USD, up 9.8% compared to the previous month and up up to 37.9% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first 6 months of 2026, exports to this region reached 214.4 million USD, up 31.8% compared to the same period last year, occupying 5.8% of total export turnover.

Within the EU bloc, the Netherlands serves as Vietnam's largest fruit and vegetable import market with turnover reaching 117 million USD, up 46.8% compared to the same period last year and occupying 54.6% of total export turnover to the region. Germany reached 58.4 million USD, up 47%, while France occupied 14.7%.

According to experts, although China still accounts for over half of Vietnam's total fruit and vegetable export turnover, stable growth in the United States, South Korea, and the EU demonstrates that the market structure is gradually becoming more balanced. Expanding exports into markets with high requirements not only helps increase export value but also diminishes risks of reliance on a single market, while simultaneously prompting enterprises to elevate quality, perfect production processes, and increase competitive strength.

Against a backdrop where global consumer demand for high-quality agricultural products continues to rise, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable sector still possesses plenty of room to break through if it continues expanding standard-compliant raw material areas, strengthening deep processing, constructing transparent supply chains, and effectively exploiting free trade agreements.

With current growth momentum alongside expansion across multiple key markets, the fruit and vegetable sector is expected to continue maintaining high growth rates, heading toward new export milestones in 2026.

Source: VnEconomy