According to aggregated data from Customs, Mr. Đặng Phúc Nguyên — Secretary General of the Vietnam Fruits and Vegetables Association — reported that fruit and vegetable exports in the first half of September 2025 reached as high as US$650 million, up 36 percent compared to the first half of August 2025 and 41 percent higher than the same period last year. Based on these results and the sum of orders enterprises have signed and are to deliver in September, the Association estimates that exports for September will reach about US$1.3 billion — a monthly record for the sector.
For the first nine months of 2025, exports of fruits and vegetables are estimated at over US$6.11 billion, up 8.3 percent year‑on‑year. If this momentum continues, the sector could close 2025 with results approaching or exceeding US$8 billion.
Durian Makes a Spectacular Comeback
Alongside exports, Vietnam’s imports of fruits and vegetables in September 2025 are estimated at US$234.3 million, up 2.6 percent from August. In the first nine months, imports reached about US$1.91 billion, a 15.1 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Thus, in September alone the trade surplus in fruits and vegetables reached US$1.059 billion. Cumulatively over nine months, the sector’s surplus hit around US$4.2 billion — an impressive figure that underscores Vietnam’s growing competitive advantage in the international market.
The key highlight of export growth this year is the remarkable recovery of durian — a core product that holds the largest share in the fruit export portfolio. After a difficult start to the year — when many shipments were returned for failing China’s phytosanitary standards — durian exports have rebounded strongly from June 2025 onward.
In September 2025 alone, the export value of durian is estimated at US$800–900 million — the highest on record for a single month. Over the first nine months, this item has generated around US$2.5–2.6 billion. China remains the main consumption market, accounting for nearly 90 percent of Vietnam’s durian export value.
In early August 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued Decision 3015 on “Food Safety Control Procedures for Fresh Durian Export.” This is the first time a fruit has been placed under a dedicated control mechanism from cultivation to export, in order to enhance reputation and reduce risks when entering stringent markets.
In practice, China’s tightened inspections earlier in 2025 concerning cadmium and O‑gold triggered a sharp drop in durian export value and lower farmgate prices. Many growers faced difficulties. However, adjustments in production procedures and cooperation between regulators of both countries quickly helped to remove bottlenecks, enabling export recovery since June.
Current farmgate prices for high‑quality RI6 durian in the Central Highlands, Southeast and Southwest regions range from VND 52,000 to 65,000 per kilogram; premium Thai durians fetch VND 72,000 to 90,000 per kilogram. Many farmers have realized profits of billions of dong this season.
Three Years of Consecutive Acceleration
Analyzing the export markets, Mr. Đặng Phúc Nguyên noted that in the past nine months, beyond China — which accounts for nearly 58 percent of Vietnam’s total fruit and vegetable export value — many other markets have also recorded significant growth. Exports to the U.S. rose 60 percent, reaching US$363 million; to Japan by 21 percent; to the Netherlands by 39 percent; and to Malaysia by 67 percent.
This shift reflects efforts to diversify markets and reduce dependency on China — which is prone to seasonal fluctuations and stringent quarantine policies. Other products such as bananas, coconuts, pineapples, passion fruit, and processed mangoes have also shown stable growth, contributing to a more diversified product structure compared to previous years.
Sustained acceleration over 20 percent in 2023–2024, and continued positive growth in 2025, indicate that the sector’s expansion potential is increasingly significant.
According to experts, demand for fruit imports will surge around Christmas and Lunar New Year, especially in Asian markets. If the fourth quarter of 2025 maintains a growth pace of about 10 percent year‑on‑year, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports could reach US$8.15 billion for the full year — a record high.
Mr. Đặng Phúc Nguyên believes the goal of US$10 billion by 2030 is entirely feasible, and could even be exceeded if Vietnam can build sufficiently large raw material zones and ensure quality for key products like bananas, coconuts, pineapples, passion fruit, and mangoes. The global trend toward tropical agricultural consumption is rising, offering great opportunity for Vietnam.
Source: vneconomy.vn
