Fruit and vegetable exports continue to grow
(VOV) - Vietnam earned US$119 million from fruit and vegetable exports in the first two months of 2013, up 16 percent on last year’s same period.
The result continues the sector’s 10 year streak of consecutive export growth.
This year’s fruit and vegetable export turnover is expected to hit US$1 billion, making it possible to join the US$1 billion club if the steady growth is maintained in the remaining months.
The country’s 13 primary markets with import turnover of exceeding US$10 million included China (US$218.1 million), Japan (US$54.6 million), the US (US$ 39.9 million), Russia (US$28.4 million), the Republic of Korea (US$22.6 million), and Thailand (US$20.4 million).
Large volumes of specialty fruits are being shipped abroad, such as longan, mango, orange, grapefruit, lychee, banana, and dragon fruit.
Vietnam still spends significant amounts on fruit and vegetable imports. They totalled US$294 million in 2010, US$293.5 million in 2011, US$335 million in 2012, and US$51 million in the first two months of 2013— up11.2 percent on the previous year.
Sustainable export growth will require Vietnam to focus on improving quality, controlling illegal imports, and ensuring food hygiene and safety.