Vietnamese Pomelos and Passion Fruits Make Global Strides

Vietnam's agricultural sector has achieved a significant milestone with its fruit and vegetable exports reaching a new high of $7.2 billion. This success is marked by the official entry of Vietnamese pomelos into South Korea and passion fruits into Australia. Additionally, protocols signed between Vietnam and China have facilitated the export of Vietnamese fresh coconuts and frozen durians to the Chinese market, contributing to over $4 billion in fruit and vegetable exports to China this year.

Off-Season Cultivation Boosts Economic Benefits

The positive outcomes of Vietnam's fruit exports are also attributed to the implementation of off-season cultivation techniques. Nguyen Quoc Manh, Deputy Director of the MARD's Crop Production Department, highlighted that off-season cultivation for five key fruit types—dragon fruit, mango, rambutan, durian, and longan—has increased economic benefits by 1.5 to 2 times compared to traditional seasons. This strategic approach allows Vietnam to export fruits year-round, with durian serving as a prime example.

Adapting Production for Global Standards

Nguyen Thanh Binh, President of the Vietnam Vegetable and Fruit Association, emphasized the need for Vietnam to restructure its fruit production to ensure large-scale, concentrated production that meets high-quality standards and complies with market regulations. Addressing issues such as area codes, packaging codes, and quarantine subjects is crucial for more effective market entry, particularly into the Chinese market. Furthermore, investments in post-harvest processing technology and preservation methods during transport, storage, and distribution are essential. Efficient transport methods are needed to ensure Vietnamese fruits reach distant markets swiftly, while diversifying products to include processed items and a wider variety enhances consumer choices.