According to data from the Customs Department, fruit and vegetable exports reached a record USD 1.37 billion in August, an increase of 27.6 per cent from July and 44.5 per cent higher than a year earlier. It was the second consecutive month in which monthly export turnover exceeded USD 1 billion.
Cumulative exports for the January-August period totalled approximately USD 6.15 billion, marking a new high for the sector.
On the import side, Vietnam purchased around USD 271 million worth of fruit and vegetables in August, down 0.3 per cent from the previous month but up 18.8 per cent year-on-year.
For the first eight months of the year, fruit and vegetable imports reached approximately USD 2.12 billion, an increase of 26.5 per cent compared with the same period in 2025.
Nguyen Van Muoi, deputy secretary-general of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association (VINAFRUIT), said durian remained one of the main drivers of export growth.
Durian harvesting is currently under way in the Central Highlands and is expected to contribute significantly to export earnings in September and October. VINAFRUIT expects durian exports to reach around USD 4 billion this year.
To sustain growth momentum, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment said it is continuing negotiations to expand market access for Vietnamese durian and increase market share in potential destinations such as India, Australia and New Zealand.
A major breakthrough came in July when the Indian government issued the fifth amendment to its 2026 import plant quarantine regulations.
Under the revised rules, Vietnam was added to the list of countries permitted to export fresh durian to India, opening a market of more than 1.4 billion consumers for one of the country's most valuable agricultural exports.