Exports to China fetched $700 million, according to customs data. Other major items shipped were bananas, dragon fruits and watermelons.

In the year to date fruit and vegetable exports totaled nearly $5.7 billion, a 34% increase from the same period last year.

Durians on display at a trade fair in China in late September 2024.

China remained the top market, with its imports rising by 38% to $3.8 billion. Thailand followed with $202 million, an 87% jump from a year ago.

Exports to other major markets like the U.S., South Korea and Japan also saw double-digit growth.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said durian exports are expected to increase further in October, the last month of its main season.

Vietnam would also have off-season durian to ship out in November and December when other countries lack supply, giving it a competitive edge and helping it secure high prices, he noted.

Other fruit exports will also benefit when winter approaches because many countries will be facing difficulties in harvesting whereas Vietnam’s harvest is mostly unaffected.

Road, sea and rail connections with China help reduce costs and shipping times.

Given the current growth rate and increasing demand from China, fruit and vegetable exports are projected to remain robust, topping $7 billion this year and $10 billion by 2030.

Vietnam signed a protocol in August that grants permission to ship frozen durian and fresh coconuts to China, which is expected to boost its agricultural exports.

At a trade fair in China late last month Cao Ba Dang Khoa, general secretary of the Vietnam Coconut Association, said many companies had signed contracts to export fresh coconuts to China, with one securing an order for 1,500 containers.

Budget revenue from import-export activities up 13.5%

State budget revenue from import-export activities in the first nine months of 2024 reached more than 306 trillion VND (12.4 billion USD), accounting for 81.7% of the set target and increasing 13.5% from the same period last year, the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) has reported.

Vietnam's fruit, vegetable exports near 7 billion USD target

Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports are projected to see continued strong growth in the remaining months of the year, helping the sector to achieve its goal of 7 billion USD in export revenue.

Aquatic products exports surge by 9% in 8 months

Exports of aquatic products rose 9% year-on-year to US$6.3 billion in the first eight months of 2024, driven by key products like shrimp, pangasius and tuna.

Vietnam's frozen durian exports to China could reach 300 mln USD in 2024

Vietnam could earn 300 million USD from shipping frozen durian to China on the back of the signed protocol on plant quarantine requirements for the product between the two sides, Director of the Plant Protection Department (PPD) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Huynh Tan Dat said on September 19.