Fruits imported from the US sold at a Vietnamese supermarket
Vietnam has long been both a major exporter and importer of fruit and vegetables, with foreign produce such as apples, pears, grapes, and cherries from the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as citrus from China and South Africa, widely available in supermarkets.
According to preliminary data from the General Department of Customs, from the beginning of the year to August 15, Vietnam imported approximately USD 1.5 billion worth of fruit and vegetables, representing a nearly 18 per cent year-on-year decrease. This is a rare decline for imported produce, which local consumers have long favoured.
The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association attributed the drop to an abundant domestic supply in 2025, with strong harvests of tropical fruits such as durian, mango, dragon fruit, and longan. A flooded domestic market has led importers to scale back foreign orders.
Rising logistics costs and exchange rate fluctuations have also weighed on imports. A stronger USD against the Vietnamese dong has made imported produce more expensive, while international shipping fees remain high compared to the peak levels of 2022-2023.
China remains Vietnam’s largest fruit supplier, accounting for nearly one-third of total imports; however, shipments in the first seven months reached only USD 490 million, a 0.7 per cent decrease. Imports from Brazil also fell sharply to USD 3.8 million, a decrease of approximately 33 per cent.
In contrast, imports from the United States and Chile surged. In the first seven months, Vietnam spent USD 353.1 million on American fruit, a 47 per cent increase year-on-year, narrowing the gap with China. A fruit importer stated that demand for fresh US produce, particularly grapes, apples, cherries, and oranges, continues to rise due to high quality and strict food safety standards. Earlier this year, Vietnam also reduced import tariffs on several agricultural products, including US pistachios, almonds, fresh apples, cherries, and raisins, further boosting trade.
Chile also posted strong growth, with imports into Vietnam reaching USD 27.2 million, tripling last year’s figure. This surge has been driven by Vietnam’s tariff cuts, rising domestic demand, Chile’s year-round production capacity, and the Vietnam-Chile Free Trade Agreement, which has enhanced the competitiveness of Chilean exporters.
Other suppliers also recorded growth, with imports from India rising 22 per cent to USD 43 million, and from Canada up 29 per cent to USD 7 million.
