The United States imported $358.4 million in fruits and vegetables from Vietnam last year, marking a 39% increase from 2023. This positions the U.S. as Vietnam's second-largest market for produce, following China, according to customs data.
Key exports include coconut, dragon fruit, mango, and almond. Coconut sales reached nearly $78 million, a 54% increase. Dragon fruit exports grew by 32%, while mangoes and almonds increased by 3.2 and 4.5 times, respectively. However, durian shipments saw a 34% decline.
Despite the steady rise in exports to the U.S., analysts highlight challenges such as the geographical distance, which complicates scaling exports to billions of dollars, unlike trade with China. Additionally, the U.S. imposes stringent requirements, including the necessity for businesses to establish local facilities and representatives.
Compliance with numerous certifications, such as GlobalGAP, ISO, HACCP, and USDA, is mandatory for farms and processors. The U.S. also enforces a zero-tolerance policy for pesticide residues, bacteria, or mold, and harvesting must adhere to strict import standards.
The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association advocates for the adoption of advanced technologies, including fruit freezing, bio-preservatives, and safe packaging, to enhance competitiveness, reduce costs, and maintain quality. Optimizing logistics is also recommended to meet these objectives.
Source: VNExpress