Fruit-vegetable imports hit US$570 million in four months
Vietnam imported around US$570 million worth of fruit and vegetables during the first four months of the year, with US$151.6 million spent in April alone.
According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT), the four-month figure represented a 3.6% increase compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, the export of fruit and vegetables throughout the January - April period brought in US$1.381 billion, a year-on-year increase of 17.7%.
Vietnam spent some US$170.9 million importing vegetables and fruits from China during the reviewed period, accounting for 40.8% of the country’s total imports of the products.
Rising fruit and vegetable imports from China can be attributed to lower prices and improved quality of the products, as well as close geographical proximity.
The United States was Vietnam’s second largest vegetable and fruit consumer, with a value of US$57.9 million, making up 13.8% of the total market share.
Most notably, Vietnamese imports of fruit and vegetables from India amounted to US$17.4 million, up nearly four times compared to the same period last year, thereby accounting for 4.15% of the market share in comparison to 1% recorded last year.
India represents a fruit and vegetable powerhouse, offering many low-cost products coupled with cheap labour, thereby giving it a competitive advantage. In addition, onion and garlic products are extremely cheap, meaning that they are imported a lot.
