Emerging as a standout in Vietnam's fruit exports, fresh coconuts have carved a niche in various international markets, including the US, China, and the UK. This development is buoyed by the fruit's quality and its status as a natural, clean product, positioning it for further export breakthroughs shortly.
Statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development highlight the cultivation of coconut trees across 15 provinces, covering 200,000 hectares, and producing an estimated 2 million tons annually. This production capacity has enabled Vietnam to export fresh coconuts to 15 global markets, totaling 30,000 tons.
Efforts to elevate the coconut's market presence have been underway since 2016, with Vietnam negotiating export protocols with China, focusing on the coconut's appeal as a long-lasting, natural, and clean fruit, according to Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu of the Plant Protection Department.
The introduction of Vietnamese fresh coconuts to Western markets began in 2017, with Vina T&T pioneering the entry into the US market, previously dominated by Thai coconuts. This venture was met with success, leading to expanded acceptance in European, Canadian, and Korean markets, and most recently, China, which has approved an export code for the product.
China's substantial consumption of over 4 billion coconuts annually, coupled with its limited production capacity, presents a significant opportunity for Vietnamese exports. The agreed protocol allows for the export of fresh coconuts through all Chinese border gates, adhering to stringent plant quarantine and food safety regulations.
Ranked sixth in fruit export turnover, fresh coconut exports are expected to exceed 120 million USD in the first ten months of 2024. The fruit and vegetable sector, with a projected export turnover of nearly 4.5 billion USD for 2024, aims for a 10 billion USD milestone in the near future, with fresh coconuts playing a pivotal role in this growth.
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung emphasized the shift from competing on price to focusing on the quality, taste, and appeal of Vietnamese coconuts, leading to increased demand and export contracts. He advocates for prioritizing top-quality products to establish a strong brand presence in international markets, underscoring the importance of product quality in winning consumer acceptance.
Source: Vietnam.vn