According to the Viet Nam Fruit and Vegetable Association, with the current momentum and abundant durian output from now until November, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment’s export target of 7.6 billion USD this year is within reach, and could even approach 8 billion USD.

In the first seven months, fruit and vegetable exports reached 3.92 billion USD, up 0.9% year-on-year. Growth has been driven largely by the recovery of exports to China, Viet Nam’s largest fruit and vegetable export market, accounting for over 50% of the total value.

Nguyen Thanh Binh, Chairman of the association, noted that durian exports have returned to normal after many shipments were previously flagged for cadmium and Auramine O residues in China.

Since May, with the cooperation of localities, enterprises, and farmers, the exports have gradually recovered and regained growth momentum.

To sustain and expand markets, especially for high-value products like durian, Huynh Tan Dat, Director of the Plant Production and Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, said the sector will develop a cadmium contamination map in growing areas.

This is considered a key solution to ensure food safety, comply with international standards, and pave the way for Vietnamese durian to penetrate premium markets such as the EU, US, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.

Alongside durian, others such as coconut, passion fruit, and mango (including processed goods) have also posted positive growth. Notably, although exports to China in the first half fell by 24.3%, shipments to other markets such as the US, Japan, and the Netherlands surged.

Exports to the US alone in the first seven months reached 216 million USD, up 66% – the fastest growth rate among Viet Nam’s top 15 export markets.

To achieve the export target of 7.6 billion USD, the fruit and vegetable sector must continue diversifying markets, leveraging free trade agreements with Japan, the Republic of Korea, the EU, China, and others.

Beyond fresh fruit, processed products – particularly from coconut and mango – should be promoted to expand growth opportunities and mitigate risks from reliance on fresh produce markets.