In the first 7 months of 2024, Thailand spent 123 million USD (about 3,064 billion VND) to import Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, an increase of 70% over the same period last year.

According to the latest report of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT), fruit and vegetable exports in the first 8 months of 2024 reached nearly 4.6 billion USD, up 29% over the same period last year. China continues to maintain its position as the largest market, with fruit and vegetable imports from Vietnam reaching nearly 2.5 billion USD in the first 7 months of the year, up 25% over the previous year. The US and South Korea also recorded strong growth with turnover reaching 189 million USD and 188 million USD, up 31% and 51% over the same period in 2023.

In particular, Thailand, previously ranked 6th after Japan and Taiwan (China), has risen to 4th place in the list of markets importing fruits and vegetables from Vietnam. In the first 7 months of 2024, fruit and vegetable exports to Thailand reached 123 million USD (about 3,064 billion VND), up 70% over the same period last year. This is the country with the strongest growth in purchasing Vietnamese agricultural products during this period.

Thailand is currently the country with the strongest increase in purchasing Vietnamese agricultural products in the first 7 months of the year. Illustrative photo

Specifically, in the first half of this year, Thailand increased its purchases of longan, lychee and durian from Vietnam. In the first half of 2024, Thailand spent up to 47 million USD to import Vietnamese durian, an increase of 90.5% over the same period in 2023. In particular, the demand for frozen durian from Vietnam increased sharply, leading to a spike in durian export output.

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen - General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association said that Vietnamese durian can be supplied year-round, while Thailand only has durian in season (only 4 months). This year, Thailand was severely affected by drought caused by El Nino, reducing durian output and causing the fruit to not reach the desired size. Therefore, Thailand has increased its imports of durian from Vietnam, some of which were also exported to China.

The fruit and vegetable trade between Vietnam and Thailand has shifted significantly over the past decade. In 2014, Thailand was the number one supplier of fruits and vegetables to Vietnam, surpassing China and maintaining this position until 2019 with a value of up to 464.2 million USD. However, by 2023, the value of fruit and vegetable imports from Thailand had dropped to 46.5 million USD, down 90% compared to 2019, and Thailand fell to 9th place in the list of fruit and vegetable suppliers to Vietnam.

In the first 7 months of 2024, Vietnam spent 32 million USD to import fruits and vegetables from Thailand, up 35% over the same period last year, with main items including dates, mangosteen, tamarind, and pomegranate.

It is known that in 2014, Thailand was the number one supplier of fruits and vegetables to Vietnam, surpassing China and maintaining this position until 2019 with a value of more than 464 million USD. After 10 years, in early 2024, Thailand has become the 4th largest fruit and vegetable import market of Vietnam.

The General Secretary of VINAFRUIT emphasized that when free trade agreements are signed and import taxes are reduced, countries often apply technical barriers to protect the domestic market. This requires Vietnamese manufacturers and exporters to constantly update import regulations of markets to respond promptly and effectively.

Source: Cong Thuong Newspaper