Fruit, vegetable exports rise 17.8%

China accounted for 57.5% of the exports, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s department of agricultural products processing and market development.

Since early February when it reopened after Covid, China has been importing large volumes of Vietnamese agricultural products like durian, jackfruit, watermelon, and sweet potato.

Exports to Laos have tripled.

The U.S. and Europe have also imported large volumes of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables.

A Tien Giang Province-based company told VnExpress that its exports of durian and pomelo to the U.S. and China have been increasing steadily this year. Freight rates have decreased to pre-Covid levels, creating favorable conditions for exporters.

Surveys in the Mekong Delta show that the prices of durian, dragon fruit, jackfruit, and sweet potato have all doubled or tripled from 12 months ago, with the durian price surging to a record high of VND190,000 ($8) per kilogram at the farm gate.

Last year exports were worth $3.34 billion, down 5.9% from 2021, according to the agriculture ministry.

Vietnam imported fruits and vegetables for $289 million in the first two months of this year, a 12% increase, the department said.