In May 2026, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports maintained strong growth momentum. This was driven by a combination of market factors, domestic policies, and seasonal patterns.
According to the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, this period marks the peak harvest season for key fruits such as durian, lychee, mango, and coconut. Abundant supply from domestic production regions is likely to provide further momentum for export growth in the second and third quarters of the year.
Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable export turnover in May 2026 is likely to reach USD 614.8 million. This figure is up 15.1% from the previous month and down only 0.3% year-on-year. In the first five months of 2026, total export value reached approximately USD 2.98 billion. This represents a 29.4% increase compared with the same period last year.
Beyond growth in scale, the export structure of Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports is also shifting positively. Processed fruits and begetables now account for an increasing share. Preliminary data from Vietnam Customs shows that in the first four months of 2026, processed products made up 35.82% of total fruit and vegetable export value. This is up significantly from 29.33% in the same period of 2025. This trend is helping to increase value-added and reduce dependence on the seasonality of fresh produce.
In major fruit-growing hubs, dragon fruit farms are being prepared for export to China. Following announcements that China will tighten production and traceability requirements from June, farmers have quickly adapted. They are strengthening compliance with clean production standards and traceability documentation.
Mr. Nguyễn Văn Mười is the Representative of Vietnam Association of Farms and Agricultural Enterprises. He stated Vietnamese fruit and vegetable producers must comply fully with importing countries’ requirements. These now demand strict production processes, monitoring systems, and transparent traceability throughout the supply chain.
Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports
Experts note that Vietnamese agricultural exports are facing a new test. Rather than adapting passively, import markets now require full-chain control. This includes everything from cultivation to final packaging. As a result, the farmer–cooperative–enterprise ecosystem is actively restructuring to meet these higher standards.
A farmer in Đồng Tháp, Phạm Thị Thu Thủy, shared that recording cultivation logs is labor-intensive. However, it has become a mandatory requirement for traceability and inspection purposes.
Ms. Nguyễn Thị Hồng Phượng is the Chairwoman of the Đồng Tháp Farmers’ Association. She emphasized efforts to develop professional farmers of Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports. These programs aim to transform traditional farming into structured agricultural production aligned with modern standards.
As farmers adapt, value chain linkages are gradually forming. This is creating large-scale production zones with clear traceability. This development is becoming a critical foundation for sustaining Vietnam’s agricultural exports and expanding access to international markets.
From June 1, 2026, China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) officially implements Order No. 280. This introduces new documentation requirements for 2,589 products across 20 agricultural categories. These include all fresh fruits, vegetables, and spices such as chili, pepper, and cinnamon.
Under the new regulation, imported goods must include official confirmation documents. They must also include accurately matched enterprise registration codes declared on customs filings. The regulation marks a shift from quantity-based inspection to a stricter risk-based quarantine system at border entry points.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade noted that risk assessments under Order 280 focus on several key areas. These include raw material sources, production and processing procedures, logistics and storage conditions, violation history, and international regulatory practices.
According to trade experts, China’s fruit import volume is likely to approach 15 million tons in 2026. However, to reduce dependence on a few major suppliers, China continues to sign phytosanitary protocols to diversify import sources. Notably, GACC has approved official imports of Vietnamese fresh jackfruit from June 1. It is also reviewing additional products such as fresh coconut and frozen durian.
Frozen sugarcane from Vietnam
Exports under existing protocols continue to grow steadily. Fresh and frozen durian remain the industry’s top export earners. Export value reached USD 293.13 million in the first four months of 2026. This growth was driven by off-season harvesting advantages, expanded planting-area code approvals, and the implementation of the durian export protocol. This is up 59.7% year-on-year.
Nut products also recorded exceptional growth. Pistachio exports alone reached USD 224.63 million. This represents an increase of more than 204% compared with the same period last year.
Meanwhile, coconut and coconut-based products generated USD 198.38 million. This is up nearly 15%, ranking fourth in the sector. Dragon fruit, jackfruit, and passion fruit continued to benefit from stable demand in China, the United States, and South Korea.
A notable development was the signing of a phytosanitary protocol between Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and China’s GACC for fresh pomelo and lime exports.
According to the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, this result followed technical negotiations since 2019. It reflects close cooperation between both sides in harmonizing phytosanitary requirements and expanding market access for high-potential products.
The agreement further reinforces the trend toward formal, transparent, and internationally aligned trade channels. It also strengthens agricultural cooperation between Vietnam and China.
In April 2026, the first shipment of Vietnamese fresh pomelo was exported by air to Australia. This marked a significant milestone and demonstrated the industry’s ability to meet strict international standards.
Farmers’ cultivation logbooks—once considered administrative burdens—are now becoming essential “passports” for export eligibility. As major markets, particularly China, shift from end-product inspection to full production-chain monitoring, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports are undergoing a profound transformation toward data-driven and traceable farming systems.
Vietnamese fresh mangoes
The Import–Export Department noted that China will remain a major export market for Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports through 2026. However, the market is becoming increasingly demanding in terms of product quality.
Export prospects for the remainder of the year will depend heavily on compliance with GAP standards, pesticide residue control, and transparency in packaging processes.
Experts also highlight that China’s tightening food safety and phytosanitary regulations are creating significant pressure for Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exporters. This requires rapid adaptation from farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises. It also demands stronger coordination from regulatory authorities to resolve bottlenecks and maintain export flows.
Under Order 280, China is shifting its control mechanism from border inspection to upstream production supervision in exporting countries. To avoid disruptions, training and awareness programs for farmers and enterprises are considered essential.
Mr. Đặng Phúc Nguyên is the Secretary General of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association. He said training and communication programs are necessary to help stakeholders quickly understand new requirements and procedures. These include registration of planting-area codes and administrative processes, ensuring smooth export operations without bottlenecks.
Currently, one of the biggest challenges for exports to China is compliance with planting-area codes and packing facility codes. Local authorities are urgently reviewing and submitting documentation to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment for approval.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoàng Trung emphasized the need for rapid training and support for localities to complete and submit planting-area code approvals to GACC. This will enable timely export approvals and uninterrupted shipments of Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports.
As regulations become increasingly strict, even minor violations in planting-area codes could lead to suspension of entire production zones or commodity groups. This growing pressure is driving the formation of more responsible supply chain linkages. It also serves as a foundation for a sustainable agricultural ecosystem. This will help Vietnamese products strengthen their position in demanding international markets.
Vietnamese source: http://www.hoinongdan.org.vn/nha-nong-can-biet/tao-dong-luc-thuc-day-xuat-khau-rau-qua-380937
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