Fruit and vegetable exports earns US$2.3 billion

Revenues from fruit and vegetable exports in 2016 exceeded those of rice as of December 15, bringing in US$2.3 billion, according to the General Department of Customs.

Meanwhile rice shipments only generated US$2.1 billion, the department reported.

Data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development earlier showed that fruit and vegetable exports brought in US$186 million, raising total revenues in the first eleven months of 2016 to US$2.178 billion.

China was the largest buyer of Vietnam’s fruit and vegetables, accounting for more than two thirds, while the combined share of Japan, the US and the Republic of Korea also made up more than 10%.

In the past ten years, fruit and vegetable exports have seen strong growth from only US$235 million in 2015 when these products were shipped to just 36 countries and territories.

Currently Vietnam’s fruit and vegetables have reached more than 60 markets.

Such impressive figures have become a significant driver to attract more investment into agriculture, particularly fruit and vegetables and help farmers to increase their incomes.

Besides traditional markets, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetables have gradually made their way into demanding markets such as the US, the European Union, Japan, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

This year, Vietnamese lychees and mangoes have been shipped to Australia and the US while dragon fruit will also come to Australia soon.

That Vietnam’s fruit and vegetables are accepted by more and more markets around the world demonstrates their increasing quality and farmers’ greater awareness of good agricultural practices.

Source NDO