Vietnam ranks as 9th-largest banana exporter; eyes growth in other fruits

Speaking at a forum on fruit export competitiveness, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment said Vietnam's fruit-growing area reached 1.28 million hectares in 2024, producing around 15 million tonnes annually.

Banana exports reached nearly US$380 million in 2024, with an output of about three million tonnes, the ministry said.

Coconut production stands at 2.28 million tonnes annually from 202,000 hectares. 

The government plans to focus on processed coconut exports through 2030.

Passion fruit production reached 163,000 tonnes and is expected to nearly double by 2030. 

Vietnam is also seeking official access to the U.S., South Korean and Thai markets for this fruit.

Pineapple output is approximately 860,000 tonnes, with plans to increase to one million tonnes by 2030.

Nguyen Manh Hung, chairman of fruit exporter Nafoods Group, said passion fruit exports, including purée and concentrate, generate about $300 million a year. 

He said total exports could reach $1 billion if the Chinese market opens fully.

Pham Quoc Liem, CEO of agricultural supplier Unifarm, said standardized production and high-tech farming could help raise banana export revenue beyond $4 billion in the long term.

Officials also warned of challenges, including pesticide misuse, weak traceability systems, and limited market access. 

They called for better oversight, regional planning, and greater investment in processing and quality control.

Durian is currently the only Vietnamese fruit to exceed $1 billion in export value, according to the agriculture ministry. 

Other fruits such as dragon fruit have seen declines.