China drives more than 60% of demand as durian-led recovery powers a historic breakthrough
Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable industry has recorded its strongest year on record, with export revenue in 2025 surpassing US$8.5 billion, marking a major milestone for the country’s agricultural sector and export economy.
According to estimates from the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, export turnover in December alone reached approximately US$795 million, pushing full-year revenue to its highest level ever. The surge reflects a sharp rebound in the second half of the year after regulatory headwinds earlier in 2025 temporarily disrupted shipments.
The growth has been driven primarily by six core products: durian, banana, mango, jackfruit, coconut, and pomelo, with durian emerging as the standout export. Demand from China—Vietnam’s largest market—has been particularly strong, cementing the fruit’s role as a strategic export commodity.
China accounted for roughly 64% of Vietnam’s total fruit and vegetable export value in 2025. In the first 11 months alone, shipments to China approached US$5 billion, up about 15% year-on-year and already exceeding the full-year record set in 2024. This recovery followed a difficult start to the year, when stricter Chinese inspections related to Yellow O dye and cadmium residues caused significant delays, especially for durian.
From June onward, exports rebounded as Vietnamese and Chinese authorities resolved technical barriers and aligned inspection standards. The momentum was further reinforced by newly signed export protocols covering bananas, coconuts, passion fruit and other produce, enabling deeper and more stable access to the Chinese market.
Beyond China, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports also posted notable gains in the United States. Despite ongoing tariff pressures, export value to the US reached nearly US$500 million in the first 11 months of the year, a robust 56% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Meanwhile, exports to South Korea dipped slightly by 1.7% to US$284.2 million, while Japan, Taiwan (China) and the Netherlands each maintained annual turnover above US$100 million.
To sustain growth and meet tightening import standards, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has launched a pilot traceability program for durian, Vietnam’s most valuable fruit export. Running from January 1 to June 30, 2026, the initiative aims to establish a unified digital tracking system spanning production, processing, packaging, transport and distribution. Products will be tagged with QR codes or advanced electronic identifiers such as NFC and RFID, allowing real-time verification of origin, quality and food safety.
The record-breaking performance underscores Vietnam’s rising competitiveness in global agricultural trade, while also highlighting the growing importance of compliance, traceability and market diversification as the industry moves into its next phase of expansion.
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Source: Vietnam Insider