'Giấy thông hành' cho trái mít trở thành ngành hàng xuất khẩu tỷ đô | VTV24

Key Concepts

• Export Record: Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports reached a new record.
• Major Markets: China, USA, South Korea.
• Key Export Fruits: Durian, banana, mango, jackfruit, coconut, grapefruit.
• Durian: Leading export item.
• Official Export (Chính Ngạch): Formal, regulated export process.
• Protocols (Nghị Định Thư): Agreements between countries for agricultural product exports.
• Jackfruit (Mít): Newly approved for official export to China.
• Quality and Food Safety Standards: Increasingly stringent requirements from importing countries.
• Traceability: Ability to track the origin and journey of agricultural products.
• Good Agricultural Practices (GAP): Standards for sustainable and safe farming.
• Organic Farming: Cultivation without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
• GlobalG.A.P.: International standard for good agricultural practices.
• EU Warnings: Decreased number of warnings from the European Union for Vietnamese agricultural products.
• Dragon Fruit (Thanh Long): Case study for quality improvement and market adaptation.
• Sustainable Development: Focus on environmental and social responsibility in agriculture.
• Technical Barriers: Regulations and standards that can hinder trade.

Fruit and Vegetable Export Achievements and Future Prospects

Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports have achieved a new record, reaching over 7.8 billion USD in the first 11 months, exceeding last year's total by nearly 700 million USD. This information comes from the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association. China remains the largest importer of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, accounting for nearly 60% of the market share, followed by the USA and South Korea.

Key contributing fruits to this growth include: Durian, banana, mango, jackfruit, coconut, and grapefruit. Durian, in particular, is highlighted as the main export product.

The outlook for fruit and vegetable exports in the coming months is optimistic, especially with the recent official approval for fresh jackfruit to be exported to China. This marks the fifth protocol signed this year and makes jackfruit the 11th Vietnamese agricultural product officially recognized for export by China. This signifies Vietnam's increasing ability to meet the quality and food safety standards of stringent markets, opening up significant opportunities for jackfruit to become another billion-dollar industry for Vietnam's agriculture sector.

Jackfruit: A Traditional Product's New Frontier

Fresh jackfruit, a traditional Vietnamese agricultural product, has been exported to China for many years. Previously, large quantities were sold in southern provinces near the Vietnamese border. Now, it reaches consumers in northern Chinese provinces, where demand for tropical produce is high. In wholesale fruit markets like the one in Tianjin, jackfruit sales are stable, with vendors reporting that a 25-ton truckload can be sold within 2 to 3 days.

The quality of Vietnamese jackfruit is highly praised, with the saying "good land yields good fruit" reflecting Vietnam's favorable climate and soil conditions for jackfruit cultivation. After years of brand building, jackfruit has now secured official export channels into the Chinese market. This is particularly significant as China is strengthening its quarantine measures, traceability requirements, and food safety controls. The signed protocol underscores the quality and credibility of Vietnamese jackfruit and agricultural products in general within the Chinese market.

The signing of this protocol is expected to encourage Vietnamese jackfruit farmers and producers to enhance their awareness and implementation of good agricultural practices and to adopt scientific and technical measures to improve product quality and meet phytosanitary and food safety requirements. Chinese consumers are increasingly prioritizing not only delicious and clean agricultural products but also transparent and comprehensive supply chains.

While the Chinese market offers vast potential due to protocols and bilateral negotiations, sustainable export growth requires businesses to shift their production mindset, improve product quality, and adapt to the technical barriers of this large market.

Expanding Markets and Diversifying Exports

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, fruit and vegetable export turnover in the first 10 months of the year reached over 7 billion USD, an increase of over 15% compared to the same period last year. China accounts for the largest share, at nearly 65%.

Prior to jackfruit, Vietnam and China had already signed four protocols this year for the export of chili peppers, passion fruit, rice bran, and bird's nest. Further protocols are being finalized for the export of grapefruit and other Vietnamese fruits.

Beyond China, Europe is also a strategic market for Vietnamese agricultural products. In recent times, the number of warnings from the EU regarding Vietnamese agricultural exports has decreased by approximately 50% compared to the same period last year, reflecting the efforts of businesses to improve quality and comply with regulations.

Dragon Fruit: A Case Study in Quality and Sustainability

The story from a dragon fruit growing region in Lam Dong province exemplifies Vietnam's commitment to meeting stringent market demands. The use of "10 o'clock flowers" in dragon fruit cultivation is a technique to attract natural predators, thereby reducing pest and disease issues.

The Trung Binh Organic Dragon Fruit Cooperative has held GlobalG.A.P. certification since 2023, covering 100 hectares. This global export standard allows their "Yellow Dragon Fruit" to command a premium price in Europe, consistently fetching over 10,000 VND/kg more than red dragon fruit. Investing in new varieties and adhering to organic farming standards ensures healthy plants and stable fruit quality.

Harvesting is conducted daily, with fruits picked only when they meet export standards, emphasizing the importance of harvesting at the correct ripeness. This model addresses issues from the root, utilizing straw and natural grass to foster beneficial soil organisms, leading to healthier plants.

The packing and processing facilities also adhere to strict, order-based procedures. Workers meticulously select each fruit, removing any debris from harvesting. Fruits are then weighed and sorted according to market demands. 700 tons of dragon fruit are exported monthly from this region to various Asian countries, and in recent years, Dubai has also become a market.

The key to success in different markets lies in ensuring quality tailored to specific demands. For instance, the Chinese market prefers larger fruits with better skin and firmer texture. The Dubai market may accept slightly smaller fruits but still requires good skin quality, firmness, and bright, unblemished flesh.

Adapting to Global Standards and Future Challenges

Recently, not only Europe but also markets like China, Japan, and the USA have intensified their food safety and phytosanitary measures for imported products. However, Vietnam is no longer viewing these as barriers but as motivators to elevate the quality and standards of its agricultural products.

The focus on green and sustainable development, along with labor-related factors, will be crucial for fully meeting regulations, especially as they become increasingly stringent from 2026 onwards.

For Vietnamese agricultural products to stand firm in the international market, businesses, cooperatives, and farmers must continuously update standards, apply scientific and technical advancements, and proactively secure market access.