A mango processing line at Nafood Group in the southern province of Long An. — VNA/VNS Photo Danh Lam

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s export turnover of fruits and vegetables hit US$1.77 billion in the first five months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 18 per cent, reported the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In May alone, fruit and vegetable exports raked in $400 million, a surge of 48.3 per cent compared to the same period last year.

China remained the top importer of fruits and vegetables from Việt Nam. These products are also witnessing positive signs in other major markets such as the US, Japan, Russia, and Australia.

Notably, the fourth outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic amid the lychee harvest season has made export activities face many difficulties. However, with flexible solutions, ministries, localities and businesses are making efforts to export the fruit during the pandemic.

Particularly, Việt Nam's lychee crop will have more advantages when exporting to the Japanese market this year.

When lychee was first exported to the Japanese market last year, many customers appreciated the quality of the shipments. Therefore, the Việt Nam Trade Office in Japan is continuing to co-ordinate with relevant domestic authorities as well as supermarket and distribution systems in Japan to promote the fruit in Japan.

The Việt Nam Trade Office in Australia will also make proposals to Australian agencies to promote favourable customs clearance when lychees arrive in Australia. It is expected that about 100 tonnes of Vietnamese lychee will be exported to South and Western Australia within this year.

To boost the export of fruits and vegetables, the ministry assigned the Director of the Plant Protection Department to negotiate to open 19 markets for 20 types of products, assist in handling, negotiating and removing technical difficulties arising in the export process, co-ordinate with localities to build codes for growing areas and export establishments to ensure traceability and meet requirements of major importers. — VNS