As Vietnamese agricultural exporters focus on fulfilling year-end orders, the fruit and vegetable sector is setting ambitious goals for the future. The industry aims to achieve $10 billion in exports by 2030, building on a remarkable growth trajectory. In 2023, export revenue reached $5.6 billion, a 67% increase from $3.4 billion in 2022, and further rose to $7.2 billion in 2024 [79d40a01].
Nguyễn Đình Tùng, chairman of Vina T&T Group, noted a significant 20-25% increase in orders during October and November 2024, reflecting the rising demand for Vietnamese agricultural products in international markets [f7dc44ad]. The Mekong Delta, known as the 'rice bowl' of Vietnam, continues to be a critical contributor to this growth, producing approximately 23 million tons of rice annually and exporting to 27 countries [8d6d4f1a].
The Delta is also a major source of seafood and fruits, with total seafood exports reaching $2 billion and fruit and vegetable exports projected to exceed $7 billion for the full year [f7dc44ad]. Key markets for Vietnamese fruits include China, the US, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, the Netherlands, and Australia, supported by free trade agreements like the CPTPP, RCEP, EVFTA, UK-Việt Nam FTA, and ACFTA [79d40a01].
In addition to rice, the fruit and vegetable sector is seeing growth with 12 Vietnamese fruit items, including durian, receiving official export licenses to China. However, the industry faces challenges such as climate change, pests, high post-harvest loss, and trade barriers [79d40a01]. To address these issues, there is an emphasis on sustainable practices and enhancing production-consumption linkages.
Nguyen Hoang Anh, a local farmer in the Co Do district of Can Tho city, shared that his family grows five hectares of longans for export to the US and Australia under the VietGap standard, showcasing the Delta's commitment to quality and sustainability in agricultural production [d1bb636a]. The Mekong Delta remains a key player in global food supply, adapting to meet the challenges posed by foreign competition and environmental concerns [8d6d4f1a].