HCMC – Vietnam’s January-June fruit and vegetable exports have grown a staggering 63% compared to the same period last year at US$2.8 billion, accounting for 90% of the total in 2022.

In June alone, the country has earned US$723 million from fruit and vegetable exports, soaring by 79% compared to June 2022, according to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association (Vinafruit).

Among the fruits, durians have showed the highest growth, generating revenue of US$503 million, an 18-fold increase from the same period last year.

A majority of durian exports, around 95%, have gone to the Chinese market, bringing in US$477 million. Durians have surpassed dragon fruits to become the most valuable product in the sector.

China has remained the largest market for Vietnam’s fruits and vegetables, accounting for 63.5% of the total revenue, followed by South Korea, Japan and the Netherlands.

However, exports of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables to the U.S. market have declined 12% versus the same period last year.

Local businesses said the stronger export has resulted primarily from the surging demand from Chinese traders. Trade facilitation efforts between the two countries have contributed to farm produce export growth.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of Vinafruit, projected that the sector’s export revenue would reach US$4 billion by the end of the year, the local media report.