Processed fruit and vegetable exports exceed US$1 billion for first time

This marks the first time that Vietnamese processed fruit and vegetables have exceeded a turnover of US$1 billion, recording the highest level ever.

According to information provided by the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association, processed fruit and vegetable exports account for about 21% of total export turnover. The United States, the EU, Japan, and the Republic of Korea all remain the main consumers of the Vietnamese products. 

In addition to fresh products, China’s opening for Vietnam's processed and frozen fruits has helped accelerate the consumption of the product in comparison to previous years.

Notably, processed products made from mango, passion fruit, almonds, and pistachios also grew by between 22% and 60% against the same period from last year. Meanwhile, canned fruit and bottled juices have also been favoured in Japan, the US, and Europe.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, secretary general of the Vietnam Fruit & Vegetables Association, said processed exports have increased sharply thanks to abundant supply sources amid major markets opening doors for Vietnamese processed agricultural exports.

Over the past three years, the nation’s processed fruit and vegetable export value to the US has increased by 30% to 45% per year, according to data given by the US International Trade Commission.

Similarly, the growth rate of this product in the EU market also reached an average of between 10% and 20% annually.

However, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development pointed out that processed fresh fruit output still accounts for a low proportion of only 14% compared to the annual harvest output.

Currently, fruit processing and preservation facilities are gradually being upgraded, but remain on a small scale, thereby leading to the export of processed products yet to match the market potential.