Overall shipments of fruits and nuts plummeted by 23% to US$1 billion, with exports of six of the eight top fruits falling.
Durian, which saw a surge in exports last year, suffered the steepest fall, with shipments tumbling by 61% to $183 million.
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A farmer arranges watermelons in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Dac Thanh |
Exports of watermelon dropped by 52% to $33 million and jackfruit by 20% to $98 million.
There were marginal declines in banana and dragon fruit shipments.
The Fruits and Vegetables Association attributed the downturn primarily to tightened import norms in key markets China, South Korea, the Netherlands, and Thailand.
China, Vietnam’s largest buyer of agriculture produce, has intensified quarantine and inspection standards.
Durian has been particularly affected, with Chinese authorities now testing 100% of shipments for cadmium residues and some carcinogenic substances, increasing costs for exporters and lengthening customs clearance time.
Many companies are therefore hesitant to sign new contracts with buyers.
Jackfruit, heavily reliant on the Chinese market, faces similar challenges due to stricter controls on chemicals.
Lengthy customs clearance times have caused businesses to scale back purchases from farmers, and they are sourcing mostly for domestic consumption now.
Dragon fruit exports have been affected by China increasingly achieving self-sufficiency and buying from Vietnam almost only during its off-season.
The impact on domestic fruit prices has been severe.
In the off-season durian sells for VND40,000–80,000 per kilogram, half of last year’s prices.
Jackfruit prices have plunged to the lowest level ever recorded: VND4,000–10,000.
The slump in exports and prices has left many farmers in key growing regions struggling to cover even costs, particularly those who expanded cultivation without heeding guidelines.
At a recent meeting Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy emphasized the need for action, saying: “We must review cultivation areas to avoid uncontrolled expansion and misuse of forest land while tightening planning to ensure safe production and ecological protection.”
The ministry plans to strengthen the legal framework for agricultural exports by tightening regulations on farms, packing facilities and testing labs.
The goal is to standardize technical processes from production to export, foster deep processing to increase value and reduce dependence on fresh fruit exports.
Businesses are also being urged to diversify their markets to mitigate risks from policy changes made by major importing countries.
