Vietnam's Fruit Sector Strengthens Global Market Presence

Vietnam's fruit exports are steadily gaining a stronger foothold in global markets, with China leading the way. In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam's total export turnover of agro-forestry-aquatic products reached US$770.14 billion, up 28.7% year-on-year, marking a record high for the period. China is Vietnam's largest fruit market and its biggest export destination for fruits and vegetables. Rising import demand in recent years has created significant opportunities for Vietnamese producers. Durian exports have been particularly remarkable, generating an estimated US$1.95 billion in revenue in the first eight months of 2026, with 95% of that, or US$1.85 billion, coming from China. Vietnam aims to earn US$4 billion from durian exports this year. This strong export performance suggests Vietnam is moving beyond being merely a supplier of primary products. Experts note that amidst intensifying competition, businesses can no longer rely solely on traditional advantages but must venture into higher value-added sectors, invest in technology, enhance governance capacity, and develop markets. Further market access was secured with the signing of a protocol on phytosanitary requirements for fresh pomelos and limes exported from Vietnam to China on April 15, 2026. This reflects Vietnam's consistent approach under its one-party system, where the state actively drives export strategies and market development for specific agricultural products. Meanwhile, Vietnam's economic growth is multifaceted. Steel production ranks among the world's top 10, and foreign direct investment (FDI) shows a strong appetite for large-scale projects, with registered capital surging 96.8%, far exceeding the 9.4% increase in the number of new projects. This indicates a drive to strengthen its position as a manufacturing hub and shift towards more advanced industries. International tourist arrivals are also on a recovery path, with approximately 16 million international arrivals recorded in eight months, moving closer to the annual target of 25 million. This highlights Vietnam's recognition of the importance of the service sector in diversifying its economic growth. Under its one-party system, Vietnam prioritizes economic growth and actively promotes export expansion and foreign investment attraction. However, as experts point out, sustainable growth necessitates technological innovation and value addition, which is intrinsically linked to the longer-term challenge of industrial upgrading. Source: VietnamPlus English