By the end of October 2025, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports reached approximately USD 7.05 billion, up 14.4% compared to the same period in 2024. This impressive growth trajectory has fueled expectations that total export turnover could surpass USD 8 billion for the year.

China, the United States, South Korea, and Japan remain Vietnam’s largest import markets for fruit and vegetables—fertile grounds offering substantial potential for accelerated export growth in the final months of 2025.

Growth Drivers and Key Contributors

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VinaFruit), member enterprises have increasingly adopted high-tech farming, complied with traceability regulations, plantation and packaging codes, and met stringent food safety standards required by importing markets. This has allowed Vietnamese fruits and vegetables to expand into new destinations.

Durian continues to lead the export structure, with Q3 2025 turnover reaching USD 1.94 billion—up 30.3% year-on-year. Though total durian exports for the first nine months of 2025 slightly decreased by 1.7% year-on-year to USD 2.76 billion, other key fruits such as dragon fruit, banana, mango, jackfruit, and coconut recorded robust increases.

Notably, lychee exports surged dramatically in Q3 2025, with total nine-month turnover hitting USD 73 million—an increase of 312.1% compared to the previous year.

Another bright spot was the strong growth in processed fruit and vegetable products, which accounted for 16.6% of total export value in Q3 2025, reaching USD 507 million—up 47.4% year-on-year. The main destinations for processed goods include China, the U.S., South Korea, the Netherlands, and Japan.

Experts forecast that durian, dragon fruit, and pomelo will continue to drive export momentum in the final quarter to meet festive and Lunar New Year demand in global markets. Vietnamese enterprises are actively preparing high-quality supply sources and optimizing logistics to seize these opportunities.

For durian—Vietnam’s leading export fruit—the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) confirmed that 24 laboratories in Vietnam have been accredited by China’s General Administration of Customs, with a combined testing capacity of about 3,200 samples per day, sufficient to meet export demand. Export clearance at key border gates remains smooth.

Vietnamese pomelo has also made a breakthrough in the final months of the year, becoming the country’s sixth fruit officially approved for export to Australia, following dragon fruit, lychee, longan, mango, and passion fruit. According to Mr. Nguyen Phong Phu, Technical Director of Vina T&T Group, Australian partners have shown strong interest in Vietnamese pomelos, with consistent orders and promising growth prospects thanks to limited competition in that market.

He added that Vietnamese pomelo is now cultivated under standardized procedures with pest control and full traceability, meeting stringent technical requirements of many global markets. The fruit currently ranks among Vietnam’s top ten high-value export fruits.

Focusing on Major Markets to Reach the USD 8 Billion Target

To achieve the ambitious USD 8 billion milestone, exporters are encouraged to prioritize major markets such as China, the U.S., Japan, and Germany. According to China Customs data, fruit and vegetable imports into China reached USD 20.3 billion in the first nine months of 2025, up 5.8% year-on-year. Vietnamese exports accounted for 20% of total imports—up from 17.9% during the same period last year.

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, Secretary General of VinaFruit, noted that Vietnam’s geographic proximity and shorter delivery times give its products a competitive advantage in freshness and quality compared to many other suppliers. However, to expand market share, Vietnamese exporters must strictly comply with China’s phytosanitary, traceability, and packaging standards and stay updated on regulatory changes.

According to Mr. Ngo Xuan Nam, Deputy Director of Vietnam’s SPS National Notification and Enquiry Point, China has issued Order No. 280 to replace Order No. 248, governing the registration of foreign food production enterprises exporting to China, effective June 1, 2026. Vietnamese exporters are urged to review documentation, update data, and adjust registration procedures accordingly to remain compliant.

The U.S. market also holds significant growth potential for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables. However, high logistics costs continue to pose challenges, especially for fresh fruit, reducing competitiveness against major suppliers such as Mexico, Canada, Chile, and Peru.

Industry experts recommend that Vietnam’s export strategy to the U.S. focus on processed fruits and vegetables with longer shelf life and easier transport, which align with American consumers’ growing preference for convenient yet nutritious food options.

With favorable conditions, ongoing investment in quality improvement, and adaptation to international standards, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable industry stands poised to mark another record-breaking year, strengthening its position in global agricultural trade.

Source: nhandan.vn