Thailand expected to record growth in Vietnamese fruit and vegetable imports

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2024

Thailand, which previously ranked sixth after Japan and Taiwan (China), has climbed to fourth place with a seven-month export value of $123 million, a 70 % increase compared to the same period last year.

In the first eight months of the year, fruit and vegetable exports from Vietnam reached nearly US$4.6 billion, a 29 % increase year-on-year, with Thailand expected to continue recording impressive growth of imports.

Thailand experienced the highest growth in imports of Vietnamese agricultural products during the first seven months of the year, according to figures released by the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association based on customs data.

The country, which previously ranked sixth after Japan and Taiwan (China), has climbed to fourth place with a seven-month export value of $123 million, a 70 % increase compared to the same period last year.

Ngo Tuong Vy, CEO of Chanh Thu Company, said that in the first half of this year, Thailand ramped up its purchases of Vietnamese longans, lychees and durians. In particular, Thailand has increased its orders for frozen durians, leading to a significant rise in export volumes.

Secretary General of the Viet Nam Fruit and Vegetable Association Dang Phuc Nguyen added that Vietnamese durians are available year-round, while Thailand only has seasonal durians.

The El Nino-induced drought has severely impacted Thailand this year, resulting in a decline in durian yields and the fruit's size does not meet standards.

As a result, Thailand has increased its imports of durians from its neighbour, with some shipments being re-exported to China.

Large Thai retail corporations are also importing dragon fruit, longans and lychees from Vietnam to sell in their supermarket chains.

The import volume from Vietnam by these companies has doubled compared to the same period last year, contributing to the significant growth in fruit and vegetable export turnover to Thailand.

China remains the largest market importing nearly $2.5 billion worth of fruits and vegetables from Vietnam in the first seven months, up 25 % year-on-year.

Following China are the US and South Korea, with export values of $189 million and $188 million, respectively, representing increases of 31 % and 51 %.

According to Nguyen from the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, when there is a free trade agreement, countries will impose technical barriers. This requires Vietnamese producers and exporters to continuously update their knowledge of import regulations in various markets to comply promptly. 

Viet Nam News

Asia News Network