Viet Nam's fruit and vegetable industry concluded 2025 with an impressive growth milestone, with export turnover exceeding US$8.5 billion for the first time, the highest level ever.

According to estimates by the Viet Nam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), in December 2025 alone, the value of fruit and vegetable exports reached approximately US$795 million, bringing the total export value for the year to nearly 20% higher than in 2024, despite the volatile international market and increasingly stringent technical barriers in key markets.

The biggest growth driver continues to come from the Chinese market, which accounts for approximately 64% of Viet Nam's total fruit and vegetable exports. In the first 11 months of 2025, fruit and vegetable exports to China reached nearly $5 billion, an increase of about 15% compared to the same period last year and exceeding the record of $4.63 billion for the whole year of 2024. For the whole year, export turnover to this market is projected to reach approximately $5.5 billion, further affirming China's leading role in the entire industry.

In fact, in the early months of 2025, fruit and vegetable exports, especially durian, faced many difficulties as China tightened controls on residue levels of Yellow O and Cadmium. Strict inspection measures caused a sharp decline in export value in the early part of the year. However, from June 2025, export activities began to recover significantly as many technical obstacles were resolved by relevant authorities on both sides. Simultaneously, a series of export protocols for bananas, coconuts, and passion fruit were signed, opening up more opportunities for Vietnamese fruits to penetrate deeper into the Chinese market.

By September 2025, fruit and vegetable exports to China truly boomed, reaching nearly $1.07 billion in just one month, creating a significant boost that helped the entire industry accelerate towards the end of the year. According to Vinafruit representatives, China remains a market with enormous potential thanks to its geographical advantages, competitive logistics costs, and convenient connectivity via road, rail, and sea. If the industry continues to take advantage of market opening opportunities and maintain strict quality control, fruit and vegetable exports to China could potentially reach $8-10 billion in the coming years.

Not only China, but also the US market is expected to see impressive growth in fruit and vegetable exports in 2025. Despite the impact of tariff policies and stringent technical requirements, fruit and vegetable exports to the US in the first 11 months of 2025 still reached approximately $500 million, a 56% increase compared to the same period last year. In addition, many other markets such as South Korea, Japan, Taiwan (China), and the Netherlands continue to maintain export values ​​above $100 million, demonstrating significant expansion in export markets and a trend towards reduced dependence on a single market.

With record-breaking results in 2025, Viet Nam's fruit and vegetable industry is facing positive growth prospects in 2026. If the recovery momentum is maintained, product quality is improved, and international standards are met, the target of $10 billion in export revenue is considered entirely feasible, thereby affirming the increasingly solid position of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables on the global agricultural export map.

Source: Industry Magazine