Vietnam spent USD1.87 billion on importing fruit and vegetables in the first 11 months of this year, up nearly 39 percent from the same period last year, according to statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
Imported apples at a Vietnamese supermarket
The department said that apples made up the largest import turnover among those goods in the first 10 months with USD 214 million, up 46 percent on year; followed by grapes with an import turnover of USD 160 million, up 77.50 percent on-year. Vietnam mainly imported apples and grapes from New Zealand, Australia, China, and the US.
China was the top exporter of fruit and vegetable to Vietnam during this period with turnover of USD742 million, accounting for 39.70 percent of Vietnam’s total imports. The US followed with turnover of USD 254 million or 16.70 percent of market share.
During the 11 months, Vietnam also spent USD 157 million importing fruit and vegetables from Australia, USD 122 million from New Zealand; USD 101 million from Myanmar; USD 62 million from South Africa, and USD 45 million from Thailand. South Africa and New Zealand saw the highest growth rates of export turnover to Vietnam, up nearly 70 percent and 25 percent against last year's figures.
Meanwhile, the department reported that the export value of vegetables and fruits was estimated at USD3.10 billion in the first 11 months of 2022, down by 4.90 percent over the same period of 2021. China is expected to be the largest importer of Vietnamese fruit and vegetables in 2023.
