The U.S. imported US$316 million worth of fruits and vegetables from Vietnam in the first eight months of 2025, up 67% year-on-year.
Bananas, guava, dragon fruit, coconut, and products made from them were especially popular among American consumers, according to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association. Shipments to some markets like Japan and Taiwan also saw double-digit growth.
But traditional major buyers like China and Thailand slashed imports by 15-40%, causing overall exports to fall by 2% to $4.6 billion.
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Durians at an orchard in the former Long An Province. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Nam |
Dang Phuc Nguyen, the association’s general secretary, said however that exports have recovered from steep declines seen earlier in the year, with the eight-month figure nearly catching up with that of a year earlier.
“The biggest driver is durian, which now accounts for the largest share of fruit and vegetable exports.”
Durian shipments to China, the main market, plummeted during the early part of this year after that country tightened quality requirements.
But exports recently bounced back thanks to Vietnam’s better compliance with those standards.
Doan Van Ven, CEO of durian exporter Anh Thu Dak Lak, said his company has resumed shipments to China since the start of August.
Customs clearance and quality checks, especially for auramine O and cadmium residues, have also become faster and smoother, he added.
Experts forecast fruit and vegetable exports this year to exceed 2024’s record $7 billion if durian shipments continue to improve.
