After a short period of strong growth, Vietnam’s coconut exports are showing signs of instability. Currently, the local price of fresh coconuts is only 30,000–40,000 VND per dozen (12 fruits). It is equivalent to 5,000–6,000 VND/kg for export-grade coconut. This is the lowest level since Vietnam officially began exporting fresh coconuts to China in October 2024.
Mr. Truong Tan Tuan is the Director of Energy Coconut Co., Ltd in Vinh Long province. He said the market is experiencing an oversupply due to the rainy season, with increased yield while consumption decreases.
Vietnam’s coconut exports
However, according to Mr. Cao Ba Dang Khoa, Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Coconut Association, the steep price drop in Vietnam’s coconut exports is not only due to seasonal factors but also a sign of a “market shock.”
He noted that the Vietnamese fresh coconut sector has been developing too “hot.” This has led to many businesses buying and exporting coconuts without quality control.
“There are containers of fresh coconuts exported to China. They are like a ‘hotpot mix,’ blending different varieties, sizes, and flavors. The result is that customers return the goods. Therefore, companies have to bring them back to sell cheaply domestically,” Mr. Khoa said.
According to Mr. Khoa, the importing partner also reflected that Vietnamese coconuts are inconsistent in quality. “Every purchase is of a different quality, making it very difficult to maintain credibility with consumers,” Mr. Khoa quoted.
Vietnam’s coconut factory
In reality, Vietnam has sixteen varieties of fresh coconuts for drinking. Although many gardens plant multiple types together, farmers still want traders to buy everything at once. This creates difficulties in sorting and selecting coconuts for export.
To develop the fresh coconut sector sustainably, production planning, quality improvement, and transparency are essential. This is preferable to the spontaneous growth observed in recent years. Coconut growers must keep cultivation diaries, something very few farmers are accustomed to doing.
Mr. Khoa noted that after surveying a supermarket in Chicago, the price of fresh coconuts was $4.39 each (nearly 120,000 VND per coconut). This suggests a significant market potential in the United States. However, demanding markets require high standards in sustainable production, social responsibility, and fair trade.
Loading Vietnam’s coconut exports
From the situation of Vietnam’s coconut exports, many people draw parallels with dragon fruit and durian during their peak periods, followed by a decline. Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen is the Secretary General of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association. He noted that dragon fruit used to generate over $1 billion per year in revenue. Over time, it has declined to around $500 million annually as it gradually lost competitiveness.
As for durian, a fruit that once “created an export boom”, after a record growth period in early 2024, it faced a major shock. China tightened control over cadmium and oxytetracycline residues, causing exports to drop by as much as 80%.
“Durian is a difficult crop to cultivate. China has tried to grow it on Hainan Island but has not succeeded, which is an advantage for Vietnam. However, if we do not proactively improve quality and innovate processes, this advantage will soon be lost,” Mr. Nguyen warned.
It highlights the importance of controlling quality and boosting competitiveness through innovation to maintain market position. Both Vietnamese coconut businesses and farmers must take this seriously.
Vietnamese source: https://nld.com.vn/xuat-khau-dua-tuoi-nhin-tu-bai-hoc-sau-rieng-thanh-long-196251017214310018.htm