Fruit and vegetable exports to China face difficulties

VCN - After four months of constant decline, fruit and vegetable exports in September 2021 were "fresh" again. Notably, the deceleration of fruit and vegetable exports to the Chinese market has had a significant impact on fruit and vegetable exports in general.
Fruit and vegetable exports to China continue to plummet Fruit and vegetable exports to China continue to plummet
Fruit and vegetable exports increase rapidly Fruit and vegetable exports increase rapidly
Fruit and vegetable exports increase in most markets Fruit and vegetable exports increase in most markets
Promoting exports to markets such as the EU, US, Japan instead of focusing too much on the traditional Chinese market is a very important direction to secure vegetable and fruit exports. Photo: Nguyen Hien
Promoting exports to markets such as the EU, US, Japan instead of focusing too much on the traditional Chinese market is a very important direction to secure vegetable and fruit exports. Photo: Nguyen Hien

Exports to China plummeted

According to the latest information from the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), the export value of vegetables and fruits in September 2021 reached US$250 million, up 9.2% compared to August 2021 and up 5.2% over the previous month. In the first nine months of 2021, the export value of vegetables and fruits is estimated at US$2.77 billion, up 11.1% year on year.

The development trend of fruit and vegetable export turnover from the beginning of the year to now shows an increase in the first four months of the year. However, in the next four-month period from May to August, the turnover declined.

"Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam has to apply the strongest preventive measures, causing the production and circulation of goods to be blocked, and the supply chain broken. This is the main reason for the constant decline in the export volume of vegetables and fruits," the representative of the Import-Export Department explained.

Talking to a reporter from Customs News about the positive trend of fruit and vegetable exports in September 2021, Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association said: "Problems of inter-regional, inter-provincial transport are becoming less tense, which can positively affect the situation of fruit and vegetable exports.”

Regarding fruit and vegetable exports from the beginning of the year, the most notable is the situation of exports to China. In August 2021, the export of vegetables and fruits to the Chinese market decreased sharply. China has temporarily stopped importing dragon fruits at Hekou and Thien Bao border gates in Yunnan province (China), causing a sharp drop in domestic dragon fruit prices. The reason given by the Chinese side is that Vietnamese goods are suspected of being infected with SARS-CoV-2.

“In the first eight months of 2021, the volume of fruit and vegetable exports to the Chinese market plummeted sharply compared to other markets. China is Vietnam's main export market for fruit and vegetables. Therefore, the sharp increase in exports to other markets such as the US, Japan, Russia, Australia has not yet offset the decrease in exports to this traditional market," said a representative of the Import-Export Department.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said that recently, the Chinese side announced that dragon fruits exported from Vietnam were found to have SARS-CoV-2 virus on the packaging, specifically the shipment from Binh Thuan province. However, the Chinese side only announced this but did not provide any evidence. However, Binh Thuan province has also established an inspection team to clarify whether the shipments of dragon fruit have the SARS-CoV-2 virus as announced by the Chinese side.

“To date, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have stated that there is no evidence and basis that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is transmitted through packaging of agricultural products and food," said the leader of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Reaching the finish line

Regarding the reason why China has decided to temporarily suspend dragon fruit imports from Vietnam saying that it found traces of the coronavirus on Vietnam’s packaging and cartons containing the dragon fruit, Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen said that this is not the root cause. In fact, China wants to tighten the quarantine and protect domestic goods from Vietnam because up to now the area of dragon fruit in China has doubled each year which is about 40,000-50,000 hectares while that figure in 2018 was only about 10,000 hectares.

“In 2019 and 2020, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports to China accounted for about 70% of the total fruit and vegetable export turnover, but this year this figure is only 58%. In the future, the proportion of fruit and vegetable exports to the Chinese market in the total export turnover may decrease further," said Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen.

According to many agricultural experts, Vietnam should make full use of the implementation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to expand and boost exports to other markets such as the EU, the US, Japan instead of depending too much on the Chinese market.

As analyzed by the General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association Vietnam’s fruit and vegetables which are grown in accordance with the criteria of the US, Japan, and EU markets are not popular. Due to the different regulations and standards on goods are applied in each market, it is not possible to redirect China-standardized goods for export to the US, EU, Japan, etc.

In order to boost the export of vegetables and fruits to markets other than China, first of all, it is necessary to implement a particular strategy to increase the planting area equivalent with the requirements of each market. Enterprises need to pay more attention to research on market tastes in combination with changes in cultivation, preservation and processing technology.

“For example, the Chinese market likes to buy whole products, while the EU market prefers more deeply split and processed ones. Chinese partners can buy a bunch of bananas, but the US, the EU consumers are only interested in splitting and packing a few fruits together; or Chinese accept durians in whole fruits, but other markets like to split the segments. Enterprises must pay special attention to all factors,” emphasized Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen.

Regarding the export of vegetables and fruits from now until the end of the year, Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen said that it is not too optimistic due to the prolonged social distancing in many southern provinces and cities, many businesses have had to temporarily close their doors. Up to now, when businesses bounce back, firms are struggling with labor shortages and reducing the factory's capacity. The total export value of vegetables and fruits for the whole year is expected to increase by about 10% over the previous year, reaching about $3.4-3.5 billion.

By Thanh Nguyen/ Kieu Oanh

Related News

Mid-November: Vietnam

Mid-November: Vietnam's trade volume matches 2023 total, eyes record-breaking growth

VCN - By mid-November 2024, Vietnam's total import-export turnover reached an impressive US$681.48 billion, equaling the full-year trade figure for 2023
Why seafood exports to some Middle Eastern Countries are stalled

Why seafood exports to some Middle Eastern Countries are stalled

VCN - Several shipments of seafood exported to certain Middle Eastern countries have been delayed due to legal challenges related to consular legalization procedures. This has created significant bottlenecks in accessing these markets.
Businesses need support from vietnamese representative offices abroad

Businesses need support from vietnamese representative offices abroad

VCN - Several heads of Vietnamese representative offices abroad believe that Vietnamese businesses need to prepare solutions to respond to the changing global economy and meet the increasing demands of the international market.

Latest News

Approach strategy of the seafood industry when implementing UKVFTA

Approach strategy of the seafood industry when implementing UKVFTA

VCN - As one of Vietnam's strong export industries to the UK, especially when the Vietnam - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) comes into effect, with a detailed information approach strategy, it has created a great driving force to promote the export of Vietnamese seafood products to this market.
Vietnamese enterprises facing challenges from cross-border e-commerce platforms

Vietnamese enterprises facing challenges from cross-border e-commerce platforms

VCN – In recent years, with the rapid development of cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) platforms, domestic enterprises in Vietnam have been facing numerous difficulties and challenges.
Vietnam, Malaysia eye new milestone in trade ties

Vietnam, Malaysia eye new milestone in trade ties

The official visit to Malaysia from November 21-23 by Party General Secretary To Lam is expected to open up new opportunities for and mark a new milestone in the economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Malaysia. Vietnam and Malaysia are key economic, trade, and investment partners. Their economic and trade ties have steadily grown since the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1973.
Shrimp exports surge in 10 months, generating 3.2 billion USD

Shrimp exports surge in 10 months, generating 3.2 billion USD

Vietnam’s shrimp exports in October reached US$394 million, a strong 24% increase year-on-year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

More News

Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. near US$100 billion milestone

Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. near US$100 billion milestone

VCN - By the end of October, Vietnam's exports to the United States approached US$100 billion, reaffirming its position as Vietnam's largest export market.
From the “abnormal” coffee price, worries about the new crop

From the “abnormal” coffee price, worries about the new crop

VCN - The Vietnamese coffee industry enters the new crop with the question of what is a reasonable price to ensure benefits for coffee growers while still retaining international consumers.
What obstacles limit the market share of Vietnamese goods in the UK?

What obstacles limit the market share of Vietnamese goods in the UK?

VCN - Vietnamese goods account for only about 1% of total imports into the UK market. One of the reasons is that they have not yet built their own brands and have not focused on effective strategies and approaches to market information.
Storm No. 3 destroys profits of many insurance companies

Storm No. 3 destroys profits of many insurance companies

VCN - Due to the impact of storm No. 3, the business results of the third quarter and the first 9 months of 2024 of the insurance sector have been significantly affected. This requires more efforts from businesses for the results of the whole year 2024.
Vietnam, Malaysia eye golden partnership opportunities in Halal industry

Vietnam, Malaysia eye golden partnership opportunities in Halal industry

Cooperation in the Halal industry can help Vietnamese products reach nearly 2 billion Muslim consumers worldwide, representing over 24% of the global population, according to Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Tra fish sector aiming for production, processing greening for sustainable development

Tra fish sector aiming for production, processing greening for sustainable development

Greening production and processing to meet export requirements is both a trend and a necessity for many industries, including the tra fish sector.
Developing supporting industries for the billion-dollar export commodity groups

Developing supporting industries for the billion-dollar export commodity groups

VCN - Electronic products and components are one of export commodity groups with turnover exceeding one billion USD, but the supporting industry for this group is still modest.
Village craft products conquer the world

Village craft products conquer the world

VCN - Vietnam's handicraft products have significant potential to captivate international customers, enhancing export value and revenue.
Enterprises urged to tap potential to expand exports to EU via official channels

Enterprises urged to tap potential to expand exports to EU via official channels

The Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on November 18 organised a seminar on promote trade in the European market, focusing on potential for expanding exports to the European market via official channels.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
Approach strategy of the seafood industry when implementing UKVFTA

Approach strategy of the seafood industry when implementing UKVFTA

VCN - Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam, Deputy General Secretary, Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), said that the advantage that UKVFTA brings is that the main products of the seafood industry enjoy 0% import tax to the UK, especially key
Mid-November: Vietnam

Mid-November: Vietnam's trade volume matches 2023 total, eyes record-breaking growth

By mid-November 2024, Vietnam's total import-export turnover reached an impressive US$681.48 billion, equaling the full-year trade figure for 2023
Vietnamese enterprises facing challenges from cross-border e-commerce platforms

Vietnamese enterprises facing challenges from cross-border e-commerce platforms

VCN - E-commerce platforms have emerged as crucial distribution channels, enabling goods to reach consumers quickly and conveniently.
Vietnam, Malaysia eye new milestone in trade ties

Vietnam, Malaysia eye new milestone in trade ties

The official visit to Malaysia from November 21-23 by Party General Secretary To Lam is expected to open up new opportunities for and mark a new milestone in the economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Malaysia. Vietnam and Malaysia are key economic, trade, and investment partners. Their economic and trade ties have steadily grown since the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1973.
Shrimp exports surge in 10 months, generating 3.2 billion USD

Shrimp exports surge in 10 months, generating 3.2 billion USD

Vietnam’s shrimp exports in October reached US$394 million, a strong 24% increase year-on-year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Mobile Version