Durians are processed for export. Photo: tienphong.vn

Last November, the first batch of 40 tons of pomelos was officially exported to the US, a large market with an economic value that can increase up to 10 times compared to domestic consumption.

The revenue of pomelo exporters in 2022 grew 60% and is expected to grow this year, when the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is negotiating with Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.

Ngo Truong Vy, General Director of Chanh Thu Fruit Import Export Group Joint Stock Company in Ho Chi Minh City, said:  “Vietnam's green-skinned pomelo has so far been viewed as one of the best in the US market. We have to do even better so that the next pomelo batches of Chanh Thu  and other businesses must have the same quality as a national brand. 2023 must be a year of change, change in farming, change in output and we can make bigger milestones.”

Last September, after more than four years of negotiations and imposing strict inspection processes, China - the world's largest consumer market - officially opened the door for Vietnamese fresh durian.

Nguyen Dinh Tung, Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of Vina T&T Import-Export Company, said: “We set a growth target of 30-40% for 2023 as we already have two main products: pomelo exported to the US and durian to China. On January 8, the Chinese market eased the Zero-covid policy and fully reopened. Those are the basis for our expectations.”

This year, Vietnam’s high-quality key fruit products with competitive advantages will continue to be negotiated by the authorities to penetrate new markets. Vietnam's fruit exports are forecast to grow about 20% compared to last year.