Dong Nai: Building specialized fruit-growing areas for export

According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, in the first quarter of 2026, fruit and vegetable export turnover continued to rise sharply, estimated at nearly 1.5 billion USD, up 27% from the same period in 2025. This accomplishment represents impressive growth amid continued volatility in global trade.

Red-fleshed dragon fruit growing area for export in Xuan Loc commune. Photo: Binh Nguyen

Dong Nai province has a large total area under fruit cultivation, with many key export fruit crops ranking among the largest in the country by acreage. The province has established specialized fruit-growing areas that meet export standards. At the same time, it remains an attractive destination for investors seeking to expand fresh fruit export linkage chains and gradually build Dong Nai's fruit brand in the international market.

Huge room for development

Politburo member, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang has just sent an open letter to the business community and industry associations in the agriculture and environment sector. In 2026, the agriculture and environment sector faces major opportunities for a breakthrough, contributing to the country's double-digit growth target. However, the conflict in the Middle East has affected global supply chains, driving up logistics and input costs.

The Minister of Agriculture and Environment called on the business community and industry associations to respond proactively and flexibly to fluctuations in the business environment; maintain stable purchases of agricultural products; and step up stockpiling and processing during peak harvest periods, helping farmers feel secure in production. This undertaking, in turn, will help maintain a stable supply of raw materials in subsequent stages.

Farmers in Gia Kiem commune earn high incomes by cultivating tissue-cultured bananas for export. Photo: Binh Nguyen

Amid global logistics challenges, businesses also need to pay greater attention to the domestic market under the “Vietnamese people prioritize Vietnamese goods” campaign, while flexibly adjusting export orders to adapt to the new situation. It is necessary to proactively diversify markets and actively seek and expand market share in potential markets such as East Asia, South Asia, the European Union, Africa, and Latin America to offset areas affected by conflicts. Firms are urged to continue making effective use of signed free trade agreements (FTAs) to expand market share, while increasing participation in trade fairs, expanding online trade connections, and developing cross-border e-commerce.

Among them, with impressive growth, fruit and vegetable exports are expected to reach the target of 10 billion USD in 2026. Dinh Cao Khue, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, Chairman of the Board of Directors, General Director of Dong Giao Foodstuff Export Joint Stock Company in Ninh Binh province, said: Entering 2026, Vietnamese agriculture is facing a golden opportunity. In particular, Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports still have substantial room for development. Especially key export fruits such as durian, banana, and pineapple still have ample room for breakthroughs. More importantly, while for many years Vietnamese fruits and vegetables mainly relied on several traditional markets and familiar product groups, the fruit and vegetable industry now has a different "picture": consolidating old markets and expanding into demanding markets while gradually conquering high-value-added consumption spaces.

Destination for exporters

Dong Nai province has a large total area of fruit trees, with nearly 99,500 hectares, and a total output of over 1.6 million tons. Among them, key export fruit trees are organized for production in a concentrated, specialized manner linked to the export market.

To date, the province has issued 194 planting area codes covering around 14,000 hectares, along with 82 certified packing facilities eligible for export to markets such as China, the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. China remains the largest market, with 189 registered growing areas, including 125 durian zones (over 5,000 hectares), 54 banana zones (nearly 7,300 hectares), 3 dragon fruit growing zones (514 hectares), 4 jackfruit zones (122 hectares), among others.

On April 2, the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee organized the Banana Export Ceremony and Promotion of Agricultural Product Exports in 2026. The event attracted the attention of numerous export enterprises, both within and outside the province. It is expected that at the Banana Export Ceremony and Promotion of Agricultural Product Exports in 2026, 7 enterprises will export 11 containers with 220 tons of Cavendish bananas to markets such as Japan, South Korea, and China, including: Tien Giang Agricultural and Aquatic Product Import-Export Co., Ltd., Kelly Swangle International Co., Ltd., Zhang Xin Guo Ji Vietnam Co., Ltd., Dai Cat Lam Trading Co., Ltd., Dong Nai Agricultural and Aquatic Product Import-Export Co., Ltd.…

Pham Thi Thanh Tam, Director of Thai Hoa Phat Binh Phuoc Co., Ltd. (in Binh Phuoc ward), which specializes in purchasing fruits for export, commented: The results of the first quarter of 2026 show outstanding growth in fruit and vegetable exports. Among them, many key products posted very high growth rates, such as durian and pomelo. This growth is also proof that the quality of Vietnamese fresh fruit is gaining recognition. Previously, fresh fruit exports had high volume but lacked quality assurance. Now, however, there has been a major shift toward organic and safe production to meet the demands of the international market. In particular, Dong Nai province has many large growing areas, favorable climatic conditions, and farmers are becoming increasingly aware of applying science and technology in production in line with safety standards. And when quality is assured, customers around the world will seek it out.

By Binh Nguyen – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho