Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports are recovering after negative growth earlier in 2025, supported by stronger sales to both the EU and China, as well as efforts to improve quality, tighten supply chains, and diversify markets.
According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, exports reached US$3.92 billion in the first seven months of 2025, up 0.9% year-on-year. With abundant durian output expected through November, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment's export target of US$7.6 billion is within reach and could approach US$8 billion. Durian has led this recovery after earlier disruptions when shipments to China were flagged for cadmium and Auramine O residues. Since May, exports have gradually normalized through cooperation among localities, enterprises, and farmers.
Other crops, including coconut, passion fruit, and mango (both fresh and processed), also showed growth. Exports to China remain dominant, accounting for more than half of the total value, although shipments there in the first half declined by 24.3%. At the same time, exports to other destinations increased, with the U.S. market reaching US$216 million in the first seven months, up 66% year-on-year, the fastest growth rate among Vietnam's top 15 export markets.
Exports to the EU also expanded despite an overall 7% sector revenue decline. The Netherlands, Germany, France, Poland, and Spain were the top five EU markets during the period, with annual growth ranging from 24% to 131%. According to Vinafruit, key products included passion fruit, mangoes, pistachios, pineapples, and coconuts, with export volumes rising between 29% and more than 200%.
Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of Vinafruit, stated that proactive trade promotion, improved business-to-business connections, and timely market intelligence helped exporters gain access to the EU. "This is a positive signal. The EU has a strong demand for tropical fruits, and Vietnam must diversify its export destinations to ensure long-term growth," Nguyen said.
To maintain and expand access, Huynh Tan Dat, Director of the Plant Production and Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, said the sector will develop a cadmium contamination map in growing areas. This measure is intended to meet food safety standards and support entry into premium markets, including the EU, U.S., Japan, and South Korea.
With the Chinese market showing signs of slowing and competition intensifying, experts stress the need to diversify. Free trade agreements and expansion of processed exports, particularly from coconut and mango, are seen as essential to achieving export targets and reducing reliance on fresh fruit shipments.
Source 1: Voice of Vietnam
Source 2: Vietnam+