In the first 5 months of 2024, agricultural export turnover increased sharply, reaching 2.59 billion USD. However, the product quality of this item is still not high, reflected in the uniformity of the product, the existence of pesticide residues, the production organization, and value chain links are not high...; so there needs to be a solution to handle it to achieve growth goals.

Experts from Aeon global Merchandising Company (Japan) visited and surveyed lychee export gardens in Thanh Ha, Hai Duong. Photo: TTXVN

There is a huge market space for the fruit and vegetable industry

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in the first 5 months of 2024, fruit and vegetable export turnover reached 2.59 billion USD, an increase of 28.1% over the same period in 2023. Many products have high export turnover such as durian, dragon fruit, bananas... and according to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, in the first quarter of 2024 alone; The export turnover of some fruits has increased over the same period in 2023, of which durian increased by 63.3%, reaching nearly 251.94 million USD; dragon fruit increased by 4.9%, reaching 171.85 million USD; bananas increased by 25.6%, reaching 142.37 million USD... Notably, the export rate of many fruits recorded a 3-digit growth rate such as: coconut increased by 112.6%; Longan increased by 159.9%; Macadamia nuts increased by 113.9%.

The main export markets of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables are China, Korea, America, Japan, Thailand... In the Chinese market, Vietnam has surpassed Thailand and the Philippines; becoming the largest durian and banana supplier to this market. The Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) believes that Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export activities will continue to be favorable in the coming time thanks to abundant domestic supply; demand from both traditional and potential markets tends to increase.

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

Regarding the EU market, Vietnamese Agricultural Counselor in Belgium and the EU Tran Van Cong said that every year, the EU imports about 101.9 billion USD of fruits and vegetables, accounting for nearly 40% of global import turnover. Of which vegetables reached 36.4 billion USD and fruits reached 65.5 billion USD. The EU imports about 35 billion USD of fruits and vegetables from countries outside the bloc, of which imports from Vietnam are 228 million USD in 2023. This is considered a huge market space for Vietnam's fruit and vegetable industry to exploit in the coming time to aim for higher growth.

Producing straws from vegetables for export at Song Hong Agricultural Cooperative (Dong Anh district, Hanoi city). Photo: Trong Tung

Promote official export negotiations

It can be seen that, through trade promotion activities in markets, export activities of fruits and vegetables continue to be favorable, demand in traditional markets continues to increase...

However, according to Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, Nguyen Thanh Binh, the quality problem, especially of vegetables and fruits, is still not high; Demonstrated by the uniformity of the product, pesticide residues still exist, so a solution is needed to handle them.

Besides, there is also the phenomenon of buying and selling when the market fluctuates. This is a problem that has existed for a long time. Although there are many solutions, it has not been resolved well when the market fluctuates, especially durian.

Director of the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) Nguyen Anh Son also said that the production and processing processes of households and businesses do not fully comply with quality regulations; Requirements for traceability and growing area codes; risks when the industry's internal strength is still weak because of small scale production, production organization, and poor value chain linkage; Unbranded products, limited participation in the global value chain, mainly production stages, low added value...

To overcome the above shortcomings, the Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association recommended that the authorities need to coordinate with localities and associations to do a good job of inspection; Monitor the quality of products during harvest.

At the same time, manage the trader force well, avoid competition to buy and avoid selling. Issuing correct and effective growing area codes and good management of growing area codes is also an urgent activity to maintain the quality of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables.

In addition, the authorities need to promote official export negotiations of Vietnam's strong products with many other markets to improve export efficiency.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said that the ministry will continue to restructure the fruit and vegetable industry towards improving productivity and quality. Do a good job of orienting planting area planning, production organization, seed structure, farming techniques and technology applications in production, harvesting and preservation. Currently, the ministry is building standards for production, processing, and product quality in accordance with international economic integration requirements to improve competitiveness; affirming in traditional markets as well as expanding in potential markets.

Source: phapluatxahoi