Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports could reach record levels in 2024, especially with the country working on an export protocol for fresh coconut and frozen durian with China this year.

In the first quarter the exports topped US$1 billion for the first time after increasing by 25.8 per cent year-on-year.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said durian accounts for a majority of the exports, and would increase further since the Central Highlands is entering harvest season.

If Vietnam can export the two products to China, fruit and vegetable exports would see significant growth, he said.

The revenues from each could be up to $300 million, which would see fruit and vegetable exports exceed $6 billion in 2024, he added.

Cao Ba Dang Khoa, general secretary of the Vietnam Coconut Association, said businesses are excited that they can export coconut to China as soon as the protocol is signed.

He urged the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development to strictly manage farming areas and packing companies’ codes and product traceability.

Nguyen said farmers and businesses need to pay attention to crop protection agent residues used on their crops that are exported to China.

Farmers should adopt VietGAP (Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices) standards, he added.

Source: Vietnam News