Fresh fruit export markets continue to expand

According to the Department of Customs, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports reached more than US$2.6 billion in the first five months of 2026, up 16 percent year-on-year. The sector is expected to maintain strong momentum throughout 2026, driven by the approval of additional fresh fruit products for official export to China, one of the world’s largest consumer markets, alongside rising global demand and the continued recovery of the world economy.

A pomelo orchard in Tan Trieu ward. Pomelos are considered to have significant export potential. Photo: Binh Nguyen

In addition, one of the key factors behind the strong growth of Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports has been the marked improvement in product quality. The expansion of cultivation-area codes and increasingly transparent traceability systems have strengthened the competitiveness of Vietnamese produce. These requirements are also essential for further expanding fresh fruit export markets.

A major hub for fresh fruit exports

Among Vietnam’s leading fresh fruit export products, Dong Nai is regarded as a major production hub for several top export earners, including durian, bananas, and mangoes.

Durian, currently the country’s highest-value fruit export, is now in peak harvest season. With more than 23,000 hectares under cultivation, durian has become a key crop across many localities in Dong Nai and remains one of the most profitable agricultural products in the city.

Dong Nai is also Vietnam’s leading banana-exporting region, with nearly 21,000 hectares of plantations producing more than 900,000 tons annually. The crop achieves a high productivity of around 55 tons per hectare. Approximately 80 percent of the city’s banana output is destined for export markets, reaching countries worldwide, including demanding destinations such as South Korea and Japan.

A tissue-cultured banana plantation serving export markets in Phu Ly commune.

A significant breakthrough came in April 2026 when Vietnam and China signed a protocol on phytosanitary requirements for Vietnamese fresh pomelo exports after more than seven years of negotiations. The agreement is expected to unlock access to the world’s largest consumer market and provide a sustainable outlet for Vietnamese pomelos. With nearly 11,000 hectares of cultivation, pomelo is another key fruit crop generating high economic value across many areas of Dong Nai. By 2030, the city plans to maintain and expand concentrated pomelo-growing areas to approximately 12,700 hectares, while continuing to develop large-scale production zones that comply with VietGAP and GlobalG.A.P. standards, and to expand cultivation-area codes and export-packing facilities.

Beyond their large production areas and output volumes, many of Dong Nai’s major export fruit products enjoy additional competitive advantages thanks to the development of specialized production zones operating on a professional and large-scale basis. The city has also been among the pioneers in establishing cultivation-area codes and export packing-house systems.

According to fresh fruit exporters, securing official market access for a fruit product often requires lengthy negotiations, with some products taking up to a decade before receiving export approval. At the same time, technical requirements in export markets are becoming increasingly stringent. To sustain long-term growth, industry stakeholders emphasize the need to further improve product quality and accelerate deep processing activities. Such measures would enhance the sector’s resilience, strengthen its competitive position, and elevate the global standing of Vietnamese fruit exports.

Nguyen Van Thang, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, said cooperatives and cooperative groups play a crucial role in organizing production and developing large-scale concentrated growing areas. For that reason, the agricultural sector continues to implement programs and policies to strengthen the role of cooperatives in developing large-scale, standardized production areas. Cooperatives also serve as key links connecting farmers and enterprises, helping establish sustainable value chains from production to consumption and enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnam’s fruit export sector. To date, Dong Nai has established 209 cultivation-area codes covering approximately 14,500 hectares and 76 export packing facilities serving markets including China, the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand.

Attracting business investment

Thanks to its extensive fruit-growing areas and effective implementation of cultivation-area codes and export-packing facilities, Dong Nai is increasingly attracting fresh-fruit exporters seeking investment and partnership opportunities.

Ngo Xuan Chinh, Director of the Center for Research and Transfer of Agricultural Technical Advancement under the Institute of Agricultural Science for Southern Vietnam, noted that fruit exporters in the Mekong Delta have faced challenges in overseas markets due to pesticide residues in some products exceeding permissible limits. Meanwhile, Dong Nai in particular and the southeast region in general are emerging as major production areas. Farmers here need to seize this opportunity.

“During my visits to several overseas markets, particularly China, I found strong demand for fresh fruits, including pomelos. Pomelos can be harvested year-round, giving them a significant advantage in export markets. Dong Nai’s Tan Trieu pomelo is a distinctive specialty product and could become an export advantage if cultivated on a larger scale. To capitalize on this opportunity, local authorities should support farmers in applying digital transformation to standardize safe production processes that meet export-market requirements and facilitate the development of cultivation-area codes,” Chinh added.

According to Nguyen Huu Ty, Director of Tien Giang Seafood - Agricultural Product Import Export Company Limited, fresh banana exports still have considerable room for growth, both in traditional markets such as China and in emerging destinations including Malaysia and Singapore.

In recent years, Dong Nai has expanded the cultivation of key export-oriented fruit crops, particularly bananas. This growth has been driven by increasing international recognition of the quality and production capacity of Vietnam’s fruit industry. To meet rapidly rising demand in overseas markets, the company is accelerating investment in certified banana-growing areas and cultivation-area codes to secure a stable and sustainable supply for export.

By B. Nguyen – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho