Many countries focus on exporting familiar agricultural products such as rice, coffee, and fruit. However, Vietnam is quietly making its own mark with types of leaves that seem ordinary in daily life. These Vietnamese leaves have become unique, high-value products in the international market.
From edible leaves and medicinal leaves to those used in the bio-industrial sector, Vietnamese leaves are opening up a new path for sustainable agriculture and the green economy. Specifically, cassava leaves, bay leaves, and bamboo leaves exported in the first 11 months of 2025 reached a turnover of USD 11.8 million. This represents an increase of 13.6% compared with the same period last year.
According to the Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, 2025 marked an important milestone for Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable sector. The export turnover reached record highs.
Vietnamese leaves
Citing data from the Customs Department, the Import-Export Department reported that from the beginning of the year to December 15, 2025, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports reached over USD 8.16 billion. This was an increase of 19.2% in comparison with the same period in 2024.
“This result affirms Vietnam’s increasingly prominent role in the global tropical fruit and vegetable supply chain. Growth was mainly driven by Vietnamese durian exports and expansion into major markets such as China, the United States, and Malaysia,” the Import-Export Department assessed. China continues to be the key market, shaping the overall growth trend of the sector.
In the export structure during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover of most Vietnamese fruits and vegetables increased compared with the same period in 2024. Exceptions included dragon fruit, jackfruit, and longan. Many export items—including fresh, frozen, and processed fruits—recorded double- or even triple-digit growth. This reflects a trend toward expanding and diversifying the export product mix.
Vietnam enjoys significant advantages in biodiversity. However, challenges remain in standardizing raw material areas, ensuring traceability, and controlling quality. Without addressing these challenges, it will be difficult to meet the strict standards required by Europe and North America.
Vietnamese bay leaves
Notable growth items include durian, coconut, mango, pistachio, passion fruit, almonds, pineapple, lychee, longan, chili, and lime. These items reflect efforts to reduce dependence on traditional products and better tap into higher-value segments.
Remarkably, some export items achieved impressive results. According to estimates from the Customs Department, in the first 11 months of the year, Vietnam’s vegetable exports reached approximately USD 381 million. This was up 13.9% compared with the same period last year. Most notably, chili exports reached USD 102 million, an increase of 20.1%, accounting for 1.31% of total vegetable export turnover.
Exporting these “unique” leaves not only brings economic value but also contributes to several goals:
-
Utilizing agricultural by-products;
-
Creating sustainable livelihoods for farmers;
-
Promoting circular, environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
Vietnamese bamboo leaves
However, to develop sustainably, Vietnam needs strong investments in the following areas:
-
Standardizing planting, harvesting, and storage processes;
-
Deep processing to avoid exporting raw products;
-
Protecting geographical indications and national branding.
From ordinary leaves in daily life, Vietnam is gradually bringing “Vietnamese leaves” to the world as a symbol of green, innovative, and sustainable agriculture. With proper investment, these seemingly small leaves could become a new export spearhead. This would help elevate the value of Vietnamese agricultural products on the global map.
Vietnamese source: https://thuonghieucongluan.com.vn/nhung-la-cay-doc-la-o-viet-nam-xuat-khau-thu-ve-trieu-usd-a298490.html