Vietnamese fresh fruit segment loses the domestic market

The Vietnam fresh fruit segment is brimming with untapped potential for production and export says the Vietnam Vegetable and Fruit Association but has lost the domestic market over food safety concerns.

Nearly 70% of the land in the country is suitable for growing produce, and more than half of the population works in the agricultural sector. However, in order for the country to become a global player in the fresh fruit market, they must meet international food safety standards.

The simple fact is that the Vietnam government currently struggles to administer and enforce food safety regulations, and fresh fruit exports are often rejected by other countries due to food safety and quality concerns.

Food safety issues arise at the growing, harvesting, processing and packaging stages, says the Association, noting that without a robust system in place to identify when and where the problems are introduced, it will be virtually impossible for the segment to sustainably increase its exports.

The segment needs to get back to the basics and come to the realization that the overarching objective is to provide better produce for local market consumers first and foremost and put the international market on the back burner.

vietnamese fresh fruit segment loses the domestic market

There is no question that training is needed across the spectrum of workers in the segment to teach them on the importance of VietGap good agricultural practices and how to apply them in actual practice.

Education is also needed in order that the workers understand the increased market potential those practices will encourage if all actors in the segment commit to adopt them, says the Association.

The plain facts are that the fruit segment has lost the domestic market as evidenced by the volume of imported fruit that is on supermarket shelves throughout the country despite the fact the selling prices are five times as high.

In many supermarkets in Hanoi, for example, domestic fruit is nowhere to be found as it has been replaced by kiwi from New Zealand, grapes from Australia and apples from the US.

Local consumers are turning away from fruit grown in Vietnam because they are concerned about its safety. Grocers in turn are stocking foreign fruit in response to consumer demand.

Vu Vinh Phuc, chair of the Hanoi Association of Supermarkets, recently said that the local fruit segment is suffering from the lack of food safety certifications as well as its poor packaging and labelling.

Vietnamese farmers and producers not only fail to comply with VietGap as well as the government’s laws and regulations on packaging and labelling—they fail to meet with local consumer demand.

Supermarkets require producers to meet certain process standards and food safety requirements before purchasing their produce because that is what the Vietnamese consumers demand.

Fruit that are misshapen or discoloured are rejected by the supermarkets because Vietnamese consumers will not purchase them. Nor do local consumers want poorly packaged fruit, without a label that has not been cold stored.

The fact of the matter is that the domestic sector has lost the fresh fruit segment because actors in the industry do not know how to compete and literally think of competition only in terms of price.

And they regularly lower their quality to lower their price, which in their minds is the only way they know how to compete.

They fail to understand that producing a quality and safe product on a timely and consistent basis can command a higher price in the marketplace and lead to increased earnings and a better quality of life.

Food safety is the major issue in Vietnam, says Leandro Rossi of VECO Vietnam, an NGO focused on sustainable agriculture. While steps have been taken to improve safety, Vietnamese simply do not focus on quality.

Most Vietnamese farmers do not know which pesticides they are buying and are given no guidance on how to apply them to crops, says Rossi, adding that most are not event aware of the health hazards the chemicals present.

The fresh fruit segment has lost the domestic market because consumers feel they can’t trust the produce anymore.

Source: VOV

Related News

Vietnam, Korea Customs sign AEO MRA

Vietnam, Korea Customs sign AEO MRA

VCN- The Director General of the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC), Mr Nguyen Van Tho, and the Commissioner of Korea Customs Service (KCS), Mr Ko Kwang Hyo, signed the Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Agreement (AEO MRA) on the afternoon of December 24, at the GDVC’s headquarters.
Paving the way for Vietnamese agricultural products in China

Paving the way for Vietnamese agricultural products in China

VCN - The signing of protocols between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and the General Administration of Customs of China has created momentum for many domestic agricultural products. In 2025 and the coming years, participating in cross-border e-commerce channels is considered a potential direction for domestic enterprises to directly approach Chinese consumers.
Increasing consumption demand, steel enterprises face many opportunities

Increasing consumption demand, steel enterprises face many opportunities

VCN - Vietnam's steel industry is benefiting from increasing domestic and export demand for steel. However, entering 2025, the industry still faces many challenges.
Agricultural, forestry and fishery exports “reach the target” early

Agricultural, forestry and fishery exports “reach the target” early

VCN - According to a report from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the export turnover of agricultural, forestry and fishery products in November 2024 is estimated at US $5.3 billion, up 13.9% compared to November 2023. It is notable that it not only “reaching the finish line” early, the agricultural sector also exceeded the annual plan by over US $ one billion.

Latest News

Nghệ An Province anticipates record FDI amidst economic upswing

Nghệ An Province anticipates record FDI amidst economic upswing

This places the province among the top 10 nationwide in FDI attraction, showcasing its increasing appeal to international investors.
Green farming development needs supportive policies to attract investors

Green farming development needs supportive policies to attract investors

The numbers investing in this sector remains modest, because the supportive mechanisms and policies for the investors are not attractive enough, according to experts.
Vietnamese enterprises adapt to green logistics trend

Vietnamese enterprises adapt to green logistics trend

Principal of the School of Business at the National Economics University, Associate Professor Dr Tạ Văn Lợi, talked to Vietnam News Agency about solutions for domestic enterprises to become more green in terms of logistics.
VN seafood export surpass 2024 goal of $10 billion

VN seafood export surpass 2024 goal of $10 billion

Việt Nam’s seafood export in 2024 has surpassed its target of US$10 billion despite many challenges related to the market, logistics and materials, according to the Việt Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

More News

Exporters urged to actively prepare for trade defence investigation risks when exporting to the UK

Exporters urged to actively prepare for trade defence investigation risks when exporting to the UK

The UKVFTA and the UK’s official participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) from December 15 are creating significant opportunities for Việt Nam to expand exports to the UK. However, the risk of trade defence investigations is always present.
Electronic imports exceed $100 billion

Electronic imports exceed $100 billion

Computers, electronic products and components are the first import group to exceed the US$100 billion mark this year.
Forestry exports set a record of $17.3 billion

Forestry exports set a record of $17.3 billion

Việt Nam’s forestry export turnover is estimated to reach a record of US$17.3 billion in 2024.
Hanoi: Maximum support for affiliating production and sustainable consumption of agricultural products

Hanoi: Maximum support for affiliating production and sustainable consumption of agricultural products

VCN - Hanoi City aims to have clean agriculture by 2030, from land, water to air, and clean the environment, especially rivers. Hanoi must create a difference for agricultural product brands, products must be certified and must build the brand "made in Hanoi".
Việt Nam boosts supporting industries with development programmes

Việt Nam boosts supporting industries with development programmes

Việt Nam’s supporting industries play a crucial role in the development and competitiveness of key sectors, receiving substantial government investment and support.
VN

VN's wood industry sees chances and challenges from US new trade policies

Việt Nam’s wood industry will need to be flexible due to the anticipated new trade policies of US President-elect Donald Trump in the future, according to experts.
Vietnam

Vietnam's fruit, vegetable exports reach new milestone, topping 7 billion USD

Vietnam’s efforts in expanding export markets for its fruits and vegetables in 2024 has paid off as for the first time, the export of these products has brought home 7.2 billion USD, much higher than the figure of 3.3 billion USD two years ago.
Aquatic exports hit 10 billion USD

Aquatic exports hit 10 billion USD

Vietnam's aquatic exports reached 10 billion USD in 2024, driven by shrimp and pangasius, despite challenges related to markets, logistics, and raw materials, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said on December 23.
Hong Kong: A gateway for Vietnamese businesses to access the Greater Bay Area market

Hong Kong: A gateway for Vietnamese businesses to access the Greater Bay Area market

VCN - According to the General Department of Customs, Vietnam-China trade is expected to reach a new record of approximately US$200 billion in 2024. This milestone marks a record in bilateral trade that Vietnam has achieved with a partner.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
Nghệ An Province anticipates record FDI amidst economic upswing

Nghệ An Province anticipates record FDI amidst economic upswing

This places the province among the top 10 nationwide in FDI attraction, showcasing its increasing appeal to international investors.
Green farming development needs supportive policies to attract investors

Green farming development needs supportive policies to attract investors

The numbers investing in this sector remains modest, because the supportive mechanisms and policies for the investors are not attractive enough, according to experts.
Vietnamese enterprises adapt to green logistics trend

Vietnamese enterprises adapt to green logistics trend

Principal of the School of Business at the National Economics University, Associate Professor Dr Tạ Văn Lợi, talked to Vietnam News Agency about solutions for domestic enterprises to become more green in terms of logistics.
Paving the way for Vietnamese agricultural products in China

Paving the way for Vietnamese agricultural products in China

VCN - The signing of protocols between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and the General Administration of Customs of China has created momentum for many domestic agricultural products. In 2025 and the coming years, participatin
VN seafood export surpass 2024 goal of $10 billion

VN seafood export surpass 2024 goal of $10 billion

Việt Nam’s seafood export in 2024 has surpassed its target of US$10 billion despite many challenges related to the market, logistics and materials, according to the Việt Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Mobile Version