Vietnam fruit exports hit $4.8 billion amid durian boom and fraud crackdown

Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export sector has reached nearly $4.8 billion in the first seven months of the year, a 24.9% increase compared to the same period last year. China remains the largest market, accounting for approximately $2.5 billion, or 55% of the total industry turnover. Durian continues to be a major driver, with China spending nearly $1 billion on fresh and frozen Vietnamese durian in the first half of the year.

However, challenges remain in other sectors. Vietnamese banana exports have lost their top ranking in China by value to the Philippines, despite maintaining high volume, due to lower average prices.

To support the industry, the Vietnamese government is implementing Resolution 36 to simplify administrative procedures for planting area codes and packaging facility codes. Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung has ordered the Ministry of Public Security to strictly handle fraud, including the illegal sale, rental, or falsification of these certificates. Local authorities have been held accountable for any export bottlenecks caused by delays in issuing these codes or conducting inspections. Currently, 50 testing facilities have been approved by China's customs, helping to mitigate congestion at border crossings.