According to Nguyen Thanh Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), fruit and vegetable exports grew by over 30% in the first quarter, creating momentum towards the target of 9-10 billion USD this year. In this context, the results of General Secretary and President To Lam's visit to China are expected to expand opportunities for cooperation, promote fruit and vegetable exports through official channels, ensure sustainability, and enhance value.

Leveraging export protocols

- Sir, what positive signs did fruit and vegetable exports show in the first quarter?

- In the first quarter, fruit and vegetable exports continued to maintain high growth momentum. In March alone, exports reached US$532.21 million, an increase of 11.5% compared to the same period in 2015. The cumulative figure for the first three months of the year reached US$1.53 billion, an increase of 31.4%.

China remains the largest export market, accounting for 50.97% of total export value. In addition, exports to key markets such as the United States, South Korea, and Japan increased by 6-17%; while some markets such as the Netherlands, Malaysia, and Germany recorded strong growth, ranging from 50-82%.

The main contributors to this result are key products such as durian, jackfruit, coconut, passion fruit, pomelo, and longan.

Forecasts for the second quarter indicate that fruit and vegetable exports will continue their growth momentum, thanks to the effective implementation of new protocols for frozen fruits and fresh coconuts, along with the fact that many key fruits such as lychees, mangoes, and durians are entering their main harvest season.

- How will the export of Vietnamese pomelos to Australia and the recently signed protocol for exporting lemons and pomelos to China impact this year's fruit and vegetable export turnover, sir?

- To date, many Vietnamese fruits such as durian, mango, dragon fruit, and passion fruit have been accepted in demanding markets, showing that domestic products are increasingly meeting standards for quality, food safety, and traceability.

In this context, the permission to export pomelos to Australia, along with the signing of a protocol for exporting lemons and pomelos to China, is expected to create further impetus for the growth of fruit and vegetable exports in 2026 in a stable and sustainable direction, rather than a sudden surge.

With Australia – a market with very high requirements for plant quarantine and food safety – successful market entry will not only help increase the export value of pomelo but also contribute to affirming the quality and brand of Vietnamese fruit. Although the immediate production volume may not be large, the added value per unit of product is expected to be higher.

Meanwhile, China remains the decisive market in terms of scale and growth rate. Once the protocol is signed, lemon and pomelo exports will gradually shift to official channels, thereby reducing risks, enhancing stability, and facilitating rapid expansion of production.

With over 130,000 hectares of pomelo orchards and a production of over 1 million tons, the export potential for this product is still very large, and it could become one of the important pillars contributing to the growth of the fruit and vegetable industry in the future.

- In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge for the industry when expanding into countries with high standards?

- The biggest challenge is maintaining the standards that have been achieved; from cultivation processes and residue control to processing, packaging, and transportation. Because even a single shipment violating the standards can affect the overall reputation of the entire industry.

Furthermore, maintaining brand reputation and consumer trust in international markets requires strict adherence to quality standards and continuous improvement. In addition, as Vietnamese fruits penetrate these markets more deeply, they face increasing competitive pressure from other exporting countries, which possess advantages in scale, technology, and distribution systems.

Raising quality standards and strengthening traceability.

- To leverage the signed protocols, how does Vinafruit plan to support businesses in improving quality, traceability, and meeting international standards?

- Vinafruit will focus on supporting businesses and farmers by comprehensively improving their production and management capabilities. The focus will be on applying advanced production processes, tailored to the requirements of each market, from seeds and cultivation to harvesting and post-harvest processing, to ensure consistent quality and food safety.

At the same time, strict control of pesticide residue levels and management of planting area codes are necessary. Traceability is identified as a mandatory requirement for deep participation in the global supply chain.

In addition, it is necessary to promote the application of high technology such as digitizing farming areas, monitoring cultivation processes, and improving preservation and logistics technologies.

- In 2026, the industry aims for export turnover of 9-10 billion USD. What key solutions has Vinafruit outlined to achieve this goal?

- In 2026, the fruit and vegetable sector aims to achieve export turnover of 9-10 billion USD; the Chinese market alone is expected to reach over 5 billion USD. Notably, the visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to China is expected to open up many more opportunities for economic cooperation, including in the agricultural sector in general and the fruit and vegetable sector in particular.

In the context of increasingly fierce competition and stringent market demands, Vinafruit will focus on improving quality and ensuring food safety in a substantive and sustainable manner. This includes strictly controlling input factors and production processes to prevent residue levels from exceeding limits. Maintaining consistent quality is a core element in enhancing value and competitiveness. The company will continue to refine and monitor its traceability system comprehensively, from growing regions and packaging facilities to distribution.

The fruit and vegetable sector will focus on in-depth development, shifting from growth based on production volume to prioritizing quality; creating a sustainable foundation for export goals in the coming years. In addition, the sector will further strengthen trade promotion activities and actively promote the image of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables both domestically and internationally.

Thank you, sir!

Source: Vietnam.vn