export fruits, vegetables in first quarter reached 1.1 billion USD

On March 21, the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association reported preliminary statistics from the General Department of Customs, highlighting significant fluctuations in the fruit and vegetable trade in March. These changes reflect both opportunities and challenges for Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable industry.

According to the data, the export value of fruit and vegetables in March reached nearly 421 million USD, marking an increase of over 34% compared to the previous month. However, when compared to March 2024, the export value saw a decline of over 10%.

For the first three months of 2025, the total export value of fruit and vegetables is estimated to exceed 1.1 billion USD, a decrease of more than 13% compared to the same period in 2024.

In terms of export markets, China continues to be the leading importer of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables. Other key markets include the United States, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Australia, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and the Netherlands.

On the import side, the value of fruit and vegetable imports in March is estimated to be over 172 million USD, an increase of 4.2% compared to the previous month and up by 6.5% compared to the same period last year.

In the first three months of 2025, the total import value of fruits and vegetables reached nearly 578 million USD, an increase of over 17% compared to the same period in 2024. This growth reflects both domestic consumption demand and the need for raw materials for processing from imported sources, while also indicating a stable supply of fruits and vegetables.

Although exports have declined compared to the same period last year, the fruit and vegetable industry has still maintained a trade surplus. In March, the fruit and vegetable export surplus reached nearly 249 million USD, with a cumulative surplus of nearly 522 million USD for the first three months of the year. This surplus demonstrates that despite facing pressure from various market factors, the industry has managed to retain its competitive position on the international market.

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, Secretary-General of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, stated that given the current situation, it will be difficult to achieve the 8 billion USD export target set for this year.

The main reason is that frozen durian, a high-value product, has not been exported effectively. Some batches of frozen durian were rejected by China for not meeting the required standards. As a result, many businesses are hesitant to export, as this is a high-value product.

As one of the leading fruit export companies in Vietnam, Vina T&T Group has taken proactive steps to establish fruit raw material areas in key provinces such as Long An, Binh Thuan, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, and Can Tho.

Mr. Nguyen Phong Phu, the Technical Director of Vina T&T Group, emphasized that the key to Vietnamese fruits successfully penetrating demanding international markets lies in ensuring strict compliance with pesticide residue standards. These standards are particularly important for importing countries, which are highly focused on the safety and quality of agricultural products.

“In addition to the VietGAP standard, one of the most important certifications that farmers need to master is GlobalGAP. This international certification allows Vietnamese agricultural products to meet the stringent requirements of large and competitive markets”, Mr. Phu said.

Mr. Nguyen Phong Phu further explained that in 2022, when the export of durian to China surged, businesses and cooperatives became fully aware of the importance of having a registered farming area code. This development has been crucial in meeting the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets. Currently, markets such as the United States, Europe, Australia, Japan, and South Korea also demand farming area codes for certain types of fruits.

To support farmers, the Plant Protection Department, the Agricultural Department, and local authorities in collaboration with businesses have organized training sessions for farmers on farming area codes and other technical standards.

“We have also developed a team of experts to guide farmers on the proper use of pesticides for each type of crop to ensure that the products are clean and meet international standards. Additionally, having a registered packing facility code is a key factor in the export process”, said Mr. Nguyen Phong Phu. He also emphasized that Vina T&T Group is always on the lookout for high-quality agricultural products and ensures year-round sourcing to maintain a stable supply for international markets, in line with their set goals.

In light of the industry’s growth, Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association’s Secretary-General Dang Phuc Nguyen pointed out that, in order to achieve export targets and establish a sustainable trade balance, businesses need to address barriers in the production processes, logistics, and distribution. Companies must improve quality standards and ensure compliance with the specific requirements of each international market. This is particularly crucial for products like fresh and frozen durian. Mr. Nguyen stressed the need for ongoing efforts to expand export markets, especially for Vietnam’s leading fruit and vegetable products.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) has taken proactive measures by instructing relevant authorities to ramp up the monitoring of fruit-growing areas and packing facilities. Special attention has been placed on checking pesticide residues and heavy metals. These efforts aim to ensure that Vietnamese fruits not only meet the quantity and quality standards but also help to solidify Vietnam’s reputation as a reliable and sustainable supplier of high-quality agricultural products.