Fruit, vegetable exports grow 5.4%

The fruit and vegetable industry has posted record export growth in the first 11 months of this year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

After 11 months, Viet Nam earned US$388 million from exporting fruit and vegetables, an increase of 5.4 per cent over the same period of 2008, the ministry said.

In November alone, export value totalled $35 million.

“This is a good signal for the Vietnamese fruit and vegetable industry, posting healthy growth despite the world recession,” said Dinh Van Huong chairman of the Viet Nam Fruit and Vegetable Association.

According to Huong, export volume of fruit and vegetable slightly decreased in the early part of the year, but since September it has started to increase.

Recently, Russia, mainland China, Japan, Taiwan and the US have become key markets for the country’s fruit and vegetable industry. Of them, Russia is the biggest market with an import value of nearly $40 million. It is followed by China with $35 million.

With these good signals, the association predicts that over the year, Viet Nam will earn $420 million from exporting fruit and vegetables compared to $390 million in 2008.

To achieve this goal, the industry has re-organised production. It has helped farmers choose good quality seeds and improved cultivation methods, bringing higher yields.

The industry has also organised programmes to promote trade and widen markets as well as developing recognised trademarks.

A report from the ministry shows that Viet Nam now has more than 680 hectares devoted to growing fruit and vegetable, providing a total yield of more than 7 million tonnes

In recent years, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have made concerted efforts to boost fruit and vegetable production.

Vietnamese fruit and vegetables have been exported to about 20 markets including China, Japan, Singapore, Russia, Germany, Australia and France.

In 2000, export turnover was only $213 million. This number increased to $390 in 2008. Vietnamese fruit and vegetablesexports include fresh or preserved potatoes, cucumbers, beans, onions, garlic, bananas, mango, litchi, longan, dragon fruit and coconut.

VNN/VNS

Tags: Vietnam export, Vietnam Fruit exports