A total of 18 export commodity categories recorded turnover of over US$1 billion during the opening five months of the year, with three of the groups raking in over US$10 billion in the process, according to the latest statistics released by the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Phones and components is one of the three export commodity groups raking over US$10 billion in the first five months of the year 

The three commodity groups to earn a turnover of over US$10 billion include phones and components (US$18.3 billion), computers, electronic products, and components (US$15.5 billion), along with textiles and garments with US$10.5 billion.

Key export items experienced a downward trajectory in value in comparison with the same period from last year, with crude oil, gasoline, garments and textiles, iron and steel falling by 26%, 44%, 14%, and 11%, respectively.

The department’s preliminary data indicates that the country made over US$100 billion in export revenue throughout the review period, recording an overall trade surplus of US$3.53 billion in the process.

Of the figure, the domestic economic sector was left with a trade deficit of US$7.4 billion, while the foreign-invested sector enjoyed an overall trade surplus of US$10.9 billion.

Meanwhile, the import value throughout the review period suffered a decrease of 4.6%, with the majority of products such as computers, electronic devices and components, machinery, equipment, and materials for the garment sector.