In the first months of 2025, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports faced many significant challenges, leading to a decline in turnover and market share. Here are the key factors affecting this industry:
1. Decline in export turnover
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the export value of fruits and vegetables in March 2025 is estimated at 450 million USD, bringing the total export value in the first quarter of 2025 to 1.14 billion USD, down 11.31% compared to the same period in 2024.
2. Chinese market tightens quality control
China, Vietnam's largest consumer of fruits and vegetables, has stepped up measures to control food quality and safety. This has led to difficulties in exporting durian – one of the main commodities. In the first two months of 2025, fruit and vegetable exports to China only reached 305.77 million USD, down 38.91% over the same period last year.
3. Dependence on a few markets
Over-concentration on a few markets such as China makes the Vietnamese fruit and vegetable industry vulnerable when these markets change policies or demand. The decline in exports to China has had a major impact on the industry's total export turnover.
4. Changes in export market structure
Although exports to China decreased, exports to other markets such as the United States, Japan and Malaysia increased significantly. This shows the potential to expand the market and reduce dependence on a few countries.
5. Impact of Lunar New Year holiday
The extended Tet holiday has affected production and export activities, causing congestion of goods and disrupting supply chains. This contributed to the decline in export turnover in the first months of the year.
6. Pressure from new quarantine regulations
Import markets are increasingly applying stricter quarantine standards, requiring Vietnamese enterprises to improve quality and comply with international regulations, which puts more pressure on exporters.
7. Goals and prospects
Despite facing many challenges, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable industry aims to achieve export turnover of 8 billion USD in 2025. To achieve this, it is necessary to diversify markets, improve product quality and meet international standards.
In short, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export industry is going through a difficult period with many challenges from international and domestic markets. Adaptation and innovation will be the deciding factor for future growth and development.
