Vietnam imported US$1.5 billion worth of fruits and vegetables from China and the U.S. last year, accounting for nearly two-thirds of its total purchases. China's contribution was close to $1 billion, with shipments increasing by 25%. Imports from the U.S. rose by 64%, marking the highest increase among Vietnam's 16 source markets, based on the latest customs data.
Australia ranked as the third largest source with imports valued at $151 million. Overall, Vietnam's expenditure on fruit and vegetable imports reached $2.4 billion, reflecting a 24% increase, as per customs reports. The primary imports included apples, grapes, pistachios, and almonds.
Trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Vietnam-US Bilateral Trade Agreement, which feature tax reductions and lowered technical barriers, have facilitated the growth of imports from China and the U.S., according to industry sources.
Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruits & Vegetables Association, noted, "The imports are usually of high quality and competitively priced." In recent years, China has been producing high-quality agricultural products that were previously imported from Japan and South Korea, at a fraction of the original cost.
U.S. apples, being more affordable than those from New Zealand and Australia, have gained popularity in Vietnam. Meanwhile, imports from South Korea, India, and New Zealand decreased by 12-17% from 2023.
Source: VNExpress