Deep processing helps Vietnamese fruits and vegetables extend shelf life, diversify product lines, reduce reliance on fresh produce, and expand access to export markets.

Surging demand

Fruit and vegetable exports are witnessing shifts in both scale and product composition. According to Customs data, in the first seven months of 2026, processed fruit and vegetable exports reached approximately USD 1.35 billion, up 33% year-on-year, outpacing the 21.7% growth rate of the fresh produce group. Processed goods currently account for roughly 28% of total fruit and vegetable export turnover.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade forecasts that by 2030, global demand for dried tropical fruits will reach USD 8.3 billion, propelled by health-conscious consumer trends in Europe and North America.

According to Dang Phuc Nguyen, Secretary-General of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, the processing trend is becoming increasingly pronounced as businesses can no longer rely solely on fresh exports but must capture greater value from the same raw material base. A single fruit can be developed into multiple products such as concentrates, purees, frozen goods, or dried items, catering to diverse market demands.

Nguyen noted that semi-processed, frozen, and deep-processed items hold advantages in shelf life, ease of transport, and adaptability for various food processing industries. However, to expand along this trajectory, enterprises require stable raw material zones with consistent quality, alongside the capacity to invest in factories, cold storage, and logistics.

Sharing this view, Ignas Petrusis, Director of Saigon Fruits (SFC), stated that the company has invested in technology and drying formula research for mangoes to develop value-added processed products that meet the requirements of several international markets.

According to Petrusis, the enterprise has tested over 40 product samples and introduced them across 12 countries to gauge market feedback. Initial export shipments have also been rolled out.

"Developing dried mango products tailored to Western consumer demand is one of the pathways to elevate the value of Vietnamese agricultural produce through deep processing," Petrusis said.

Maintaining quality for the long haul

Beyond unlocking value for fruit, post-harvest preservation still leaves ample room for improvement. According to Dang Phuc Nguyen, competing nations directly challenging Vietnam—such as Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia—have invested heavily in processing and preservation technologies, backed by high-tech enterprises. By tightly managing post-harvest stages, transport durations for agricultural goods are extended while product quality is preserved.

He cited that Chilean cherries can be shipped by sea to China in about 45 days, while preservation technology can sustain product quality for up to 60–70 days. For many Vietnamese fruits like longans and lychees, current preservation capabilities fall short of this parity, forcing businesses to choose air freight or focus on geographically proximate markets.

Post-harvest losses also represent a major bottleneck. According to Nguyen, the loss rate for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables currently stands at roughly 30–40%, compared to 10–15% in Thailand. Discarded produce not only diminishes economic value but also generates additional waste during decomposition.

To curb losses, Nguyen stressed the need to manage the entire chain from harvesting, cooling, packaging, and transport until goods reach markets. Solutions may include chemical treatments, atmospheric control, disinfection, and particularly cold chains.

For distant markets, this requirement becomes even more pronounced. Nguyen noted that ocean transit times to Europe can now stretch from roughly 25 days to 45 days due to shifting maritime routes prompted by Middle Eastern conflicts. Meanwhile, dragon fruit has a shelf life of about 45 days, leaving virtually little margin for commercial distribution upon port arrival. Air freight can shorten transit times but incurs high costs, especially amid rising fuel prices.

Given these realities, Nguyen argued that the horticultural sector must continue researching technologies capable of extending shelf life to 60–70 days, thereby creating wider operational latitude in selecting transport modes and destination markets.

According to Nguyen, addressing the post-harvest challenge requires investments extending beyond individual factories or isolated pieces of equipment; it demands a synchronized system of cold storage and logistics networks connecting production zones to logistical hubs, border gates, and export ports. This field also commands heavy capital outlays and long payback periods, while processors must simultaneously secure raw material supplies to sustain production.

Source: Bao Nong nghiep va Moi truong