August marked the second consecutive month in which Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports exceeded USD 1 billion. In the first eight months of 2026, the sector generated nearly USD 5.87 billion in export revenue, up 21.8% year on year.

Fruit and vegetable exports have accelerated sharply, surpassing USD 5.8 billion earlier than in 2025, when the sector did not cross this threshold until September. The industry’s USD 10 billion export target could therefore become achievable as early as 2026.

Fruit and vegetable exports accelerate strongly, driven by durian

The strongest driver behind fruit and vegetable export revenue exceeding USD 1 billion in August was durian, as the Central Highlands provinces of Dak Lak and Lam Dong entered their peak harvest period, coupled with positive shifts in the global market.

Citing customs data, the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association reported that durian exports alone were estimated at approximately USD 1.8 billion in the first seven months, up nearly 30% year on year. If this growth momentum is maintained, full-year durian export revenue could reach USD 4 billion.

Alongside durian, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable sector has also effectively leveraged its supply and market advantages to boost exports of other key products, including coconuts, pistachios, passion fruit, jackfruit, chili peppers, pineapples, pomelos and chrysanthemums.

In particular, the deep-processed product segment, including dried and frozen fruits and vegetables as well as juices, continues to account for a significant share of more than 30%, supported by abundant domestic raw materials.

For durian, Vietnam’s flagship fruit export, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep said the target for this year is to exceed USD 4 billion in export value.

“Vietnamese durian is currently exported to more than 20 countries. Notably, India officially opened its market to fresh Vietnamese durian in July. The Ministry is also negotiating with Australia, New Zealand and other markets to further expand export opportunities for the product,” Hiep said.

Vietnam’s leading fruit and vegetable export markets include China, the United States, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, the Netherlands and Australia. China remains Vietnam’s largest fruit and vegetable export market, accounting for 65% of the total. Vietnamese fruit and vegetables have also gradually established a presence in markets with stringent requirements, including the EU, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Holiday demand in China and Northeast Asia creates opportunities for key fruits

According to experts, September and October mark the peak durian harvest season in the Central Highlands. With Thailand’s summer durian season already over, Vietnamese durian is gaining a competitive advantage in the international market and is expected to contribute USD 1.5–2 billion in the final months of the year.

At the same time, rising demand during holiday periods in China and Northeast Asia is also expected to boost trade in other key fruits, including dragon fruit, fresh coconuts, pomelos, mangoes and passion fruit.

Despite intense competition, dragon fruit continues to maintain a significant share of Vietnam’s fruit export portfolio. Other products such as coconuts, mangoes, pomelos and passion fruit have recorded stable growth. Notably, passion fruit now accounts for a considerable share, approximately 25%, of Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports to the EU market.

Vietnam currently has approximately 200,000 hectares of coconut plantations, with annual production reaching 2 million tonnes. Notably, around one-third of the total area has obtained organic certification under US and European standards, concentrated mainly in Central Vietnam and the Mekong Delta.

The former Ben Tre Province, now part of Vinh Long Province, has more than 80,000 hectares of coconut plantations, the largest area in the country. Coconut cultivation provides a livelihood for more than 70% of local residents.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports are entering a new stage of development in which value creation is no longer driven solely by short-term growth but increasingly by long-term strategies. Building on the results achieved so far, the Central Highlands durian harvest season and rising consumption in major markets are expected to be important drivers, creating further room for the sector to reach new export milestones in 2026.

Alongside durian, bananas and pineapples are expected to join the billion-dollar export group

During the 2027–2030 period, the durian industry is forecast to shift from rapid growth toward greater quality-based selection, market diversification and competition through stronger value chains. With adequate preparation in growing areas, packing facilities, traceability and quality control, annual durian export revenue could be maintained at USD 4.5–5 billion.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment piloted a durian traceability system during the first six months of 2026, allowing buyers to verify product information through authentication codes on product labels.

Alongside durian, bananas and pineapples are expected to join Vietnam’s group of billion-dollar agricultural exports, supported by stable production areas and growing market demand.

Source: Bao Thanh Tra