Fruit and vegetable exports grow spectacularly
Vegetables and fruits, from a modest export item, are emerging as one of the key export sectors of Vietnamese agriculture.
"Squeezing" into difficult markets
On September 21, the first fresh mangoes from Vietnam appeared in Australia, sold in some stores and supermarkets in Perth, Western Australia. This is a great effort by the Vietnamese fruit and vegetable industry after 7 years of negotiations with Australia. Mangoes are also the second fruit from Vietnam to be licensed for import in Australia, after lychees.
» Agricultural products with export advantages
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| Vietnamese fruits and vegetables have had remarkable growth in exports. Photo: net |
In order for the mango batch to be able to go to this "difficult" market, many months ago, Agricare Company had to cooperate with farmers in Dong Thap to cultivate according to VietGAP process in accordance with Australian standards. Because mango or any fresh fruit exported to Australia must meet extremely strict conditions regarding growing area, packaging standards, plant quarantine and food hygiene and safety, irradiation, transportation process...
Previously, in August 2016, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed allowing fresh mangoes from Vietnam to be imported into the US market. With this move, it is almost certain that fresh mangoes will be the sixth fruit from Vietnam to be allowed to be imported into the US market from the end of this year, after dragon fruit, rambutan, lychee, longan and star apple.
Mr. Tran Van Tu, owner of a mango garden in Binh Quoi hamlet, Binh Phuoc Xuan commune (Cho Moi, An Giang) bags fruit to meet the importer's requirement of yellow skin color for mangoes. Photo: Hong Nhung - VNA |
Mr. Dao Tran Nhan, Vietnam Trade Counselor in the US, said: “To be able to “enter” this potential but also very demanding market, fresh mangoes from Vietnam must pass the strict standards of the US control system, including regulations on orchards, irradiation treatment and customs inspection at the port of arrival. In addition, fresh mangoes from Vietnam must have a food safety and hygiene certificate from the Plant Protection Department of Vietnam.”
The above examples show that, in addition to traditional markets, in recent years, the Vietnamese fruit and vegetable industry has reached "difficult" markets that require high quality such as: the US, the European Union, Japan, Korea, Canada, Australia, New Zealand... Just from the beginning of the year until now, Vietnamese lychees and mangoes have reached the Australian and US markets.
According to agricultural experts, opening up demanding markets such as the US, Australia, EU, etc. will bring “double benefits” to Vietnamese agriculture. It will help farmers change their habits and production methods, shifting from growing what they have to growing what the market needs, and the fruit and vegetable industry will not be dependent on one market as before.
Will surpass rice for the first time
In fact, in the past 10 years, fruit and vegetable exports in general, especially fruit products, have recorded "dizzying" growth. According to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong, from June 2016 to present, the export growth rate of the fruit and vegetable industry has been very good, with an average growth of 37% per month. In 2016, it is likely that the export value of fruit and vegetables will surpass that of rice for the first time, reaching about 2.5 - 2.6 billion USD, becoming one of the main export products of Vietnam's agricultural sector.
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| Vietnamese fruits are expanding in many "difficult" markets - Internet photo |
According to agricultural experts, the potential for exporting fruits and vegetables is still very large. The world market for processed fruits and vegetables in 2014 reached about 203 billion USD and had a growth rate of 7.9%/year. According to forecasts, by 2020 the market for processed fruits and vegetables will reach 319 billion USD.
To continue expanding its export markets and fruit varieties, Vietnam will continue to promote more key products to the markets. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam said: “Australia opening its doors to another fresh fruit from Vietnam opens up many hopes for the industry of growing and exporting Vietnam’s strong fruits. Following mango, Vietnam will promote dragon fruit to Australia.”
Mr. Le Son Ha, Head of the Quarantine Department, Plant Protection Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said: “The Department will study the requirements of the markets, especially those with large consumption demand and high value. At the same time, we will also pay attention to potential markets in the ASEAN region and China, because each market will have different requirements.”
| In 2005, Vietnamese fruits and vegetables were present in 36 countries and territories around the world, reaching a turnover of over 235 million USD. 10 years later, the number of penetrated markets has increased to more than 60 countries and territories, with an export turnover of over 1.8 billion USD, an increase of 123% compared to 2014 and an increase of 782% compared to 2005. Notably, in the first 8 months of 2016, the export turnover of fruits and vegetables nationwide reached 1.7 billion USD, an increase of 130% compared to the same period last year. |
According to baotintuc
