Fruit and vegetable exports earned an estimated US$1.38 billion in the first five months of 2017, up 38 per cent from the same period last year. — Photo baoquocte.vn

Fruit and vegetable exports earned an estimated US$1.38 billion in the first five months of 2017, up 38 per cent from the same period last year.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the sector exported products worth $344 million in May.

The top four importers of Vietnamese goods were China, the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea, which accounted for 83.8 per cent of the total value of fruits and vegetables.

Markets that witnessed an increase in the import of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables included the United Arab Emirates (2.1 times), Russia (76.3 per cent), Japan (51.2 per cent) and China (36.8 per cent).

In the January-May period, Viet Nam imported $470 million worth of fruits and vegetables, up 68.6 per cent year-on-year. Vegetable imports were estimated at $100 million, up 49 per cent from 2016, while the value of imported fruits was $353 million, up 75 per cent.

According to the ministry, in the domestic market, early Thanh Ha lychees were sold in Ha Noi at up to VND50,000 ($2.2) per kg, an increase of some 10 per cent year-on-year.

The price of avocado in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak also surged between 15 and 20 per cent from the same period last year.

Further, prices of vegetables in Lam Dong are likely to increase because of a shortage of supply.— VNS