The US has become Vietnam’s largest supplier of fruits and vegetables in the first four months of the year, recording a 44% increase year-on-year in export value to US$102.1 million, according to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association.

Vietnam's overall fruit and vegetable imports fell 42% to US$376.9 million, but imports from several countries such as New Zealand, the US and the Republic of Korea increased.

In the same period last year the US had accounted for only 10% of imports.

Pham Thien Hoang, owner of GreenSpace Store, a fruit importer, said fruits from the US are very popular among Vietnamese consumers.

Apples, grapes and cherries are among the biggest imports from that country.

Vietnam is also a substantial exporter of vegetables and fruits, and in the first four months earned US$1.2 billion these products, a 12.5% drop