Vietnam fruit, vegetable exports hit record high in September, led by durian, processed goods

Export value in the first half of the month totaled $650 million, up 41 percent from a year earlier.

The full-month estimate puts fruit and vegetables ahead of wood and seafood for the first time, making the category Vietnam’s top agricultural export.

Cumulative exports between January and September rose 8.3 percent year on year to $6.1 billion.

Durians led September shipments, contributing $800 million to $900 million, according to industry estimates.

Exporters said durian containers to China more than doubled from August, after new food safety controls were introduced earlier this year to address prior quality rejections.

Processed fruits and vegetables also gained momentum, driven by investments in factories and expanded raw material zones, said Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VinaFruit).

“This is becoming a new growth engine for the sector,” Nguyen said.

China remained Vietnam’s largest market, accounting for 58 percent of the Southeast Asian country's total fruit and vegetable exports in the first nine months.

However, shipments to other markets rose sharply: exports to the United States rose 60 percent to $363 million, Japan increased 21 percent, the Netherlands 39 percent, and Malaysia 67 percent.

Exporters said the shift reflects an effort to reduce dependence on China, where trade is often affected by seasonal demand and shifting import rules.

Recent trade protocols signed with China in 2024–25 have allowed official exports of frozen durians, fresh coconuts, chili peppers, and passion fruits, creating new opportunities for growth.

VinaFruit expects full-year exports to reach or exceed $8 billion, supported by rising demand and continued investment in processing.