China is the largest export market of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, accounting for nearly 65 per cent of the total fruit and vegetable export value.
The export of rice, fruit and vegetables to China and other markets posted a remarkable surge by 34.7 per cent and 64.2 per cent, respectively in the first half.
From Asia to Europe and the Middle East to North America, potential buyers are looking for top-notch products, which has prompted domestic exporters to ramp up their efforts to meet these rigorous standards.
In early November Tran Ngọc Hoa, a vegetable vendor in Ha Noi’s Kim Lien market, had to stop selling for three days after fruit and vegetable prices surged in wholesale markets.
On the last Saturday of November a unique market opened for a day in a café in District 1, HCMC: one selling fresh foods with organic certificates issued by Vietnamese and international agencies.
The US has become Việt Nam’s largest supplier of fruits and vegetables after a 44 per cent increase year-on-year in the first four months of the year to US$102.1 million, according to the Việt Nam Fruit and Vegetable Association.
Some 450 companies have registered to participate in the 2019 Viet Nam International Food Industry Exhibition to be held in HCM City from November 13 to 16.
Viet Nam’s exports of farm products, fruits and vegetables in particular, have been rising consistently. But they are exported mainly as raw and fresh items, offering low value addition.
Vietnamese exporters of fruits and vegetables must improve hygienic standards of their products to avoid technical barriers imposed by the EU market, experts said at a meeting.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nguyen Xuan Cuong said export potential of fruits and vegetables in the upcoming time would be big. These would be key products to breakthroughs in restructuring of the sector.
Fruit and vegetable exports are expected to reach US$2 billion this
year as more and more countries have opened their door to Vietnamese
fruits and vegetables.
The European Commission (EC) has warned that it will ban the import of
Vietnamese fruits and vegetables if Viet Nam does not comply with EU''s
food standards.