Farm produce exports likely to top $770 million
Farm produce exports likely to top $770 million
Fruit and vegetable exports are estimated at US$770 million in 2012, a year-on-year increase of 30 per cent.
According to the Fruits and Vegetables Association (Vinafruit), exports reached $714 million in the first 11 months of last year, a 26.5 per cent year-on-year increase.
The country sold fruits and vegetables to more than 50 nations and territories, with China being the biggest importer.
Exports to China in the first 10 months of the year reached $174.7 million, up 52.6 per cent over the same period of 2011, and accounting for 37.58 per cent of the total export revenue.
Japan was the second largest importer of Vietnamese fruit and vegetables, followed by the US and Russia.
The main export items are fresh fruit like dragon fruit, watermelon, litchi, longan and mango; fresh vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower; processed fruits and vegetables like canned vegetables, dried fruit, and juice concentrates; and frozen products.
Viet Nam's varied geographic and climatic conditions allow it to diversify its fruit and vegetable production, giving the sector great export potential, experts say.
Based on the export results of last year, Vinafruit has set an ambitious export target of $1 billion for 2013.
Vinafruit also reports that the country spent $304 million on importing fruits and vegetables in the first 11 months of 2012, an increase of 15.9 per cent over 2011, mainly from China, Thailand, the US and Australia.
vietnamnews
