Vietnam Agricultural Products Secure US Market, Expect Further Opportunities For More Fruit Exports

Bags of Vietnamese coffee beans and packed and ready-to-drink coffee products are shipped to over 80 countries, making Vietnam the world’s second-biggest exporter of coffee.

From January to August this year, the country exported at least 96,500 tonnes of coffee to the US alone. That’s a jump of up to 5.2% from the same period in 2021 and nearly 36% in volume and value. Translating that into revenue, Vietnam gained a whopping $227 million in eight months, according to a report from the General Department of Customs.

Moreover, Vietnam’s share in the US coffee market went up to 6.45% from 6.27% last year.

Per Customs data, from Q1 to Q3 2022, Vietnam bagged more than $3 billion from exporting 1.34 million tonnes of coffee, up over 13% in volume and an increase of 37% in value against the same period in the previous year.

Vietnam boasts 97 coffee bean processing plants with an annual capacity of 1.5 million tonnes, 160 coffee roasting, eight instant coffee, and 11 coffee blending facilities — all that make it possible for the country to export not only to the US but also to Europe, Russia, Japan, and the UK.

READ: Here are 7 Vietnamese Coffee Brands You Should Know

Fresh Vietnamese pomelos to enter the US

Following the success of exporting fresh durian fruits to China under the official quota, yet another homegrown fruit is bound to international waters. An official from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Department recently confirmed that the US Department of Agriculture had authorized the import of fresh pomelo after more than five years of negotiation.

Hoang Trung, Director of the Plant Protection Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that pomelo is the seventh fresh from Vietnam to receive the official license to enter the American market. The other six are mango, longan, lychee, dragon fruit, rambutan, and star apple.

Pomelos are grown in warm climates, and most US-based production occurs in Florida and California. Having Vietnam, with its 105,400 ha of land under pomelo with diverse varieties that generates nearly 905,000 tonnes of fruit, in the list of fresh fruit suppliers is a win-win for both countries.

In addition, the Mekong Delta alone houses about 32,000 ha with an output of some 369,000 tonnes. Trung said this creates considerable room and an excellent opportunity for Vietnamese fruits, including pomelo, to access the US market.

While the permit’s already granted to Vietnam, the country still has to follow the import requirements of the US. The Plant Protection Department will work with relevant parties to implement concerted measures, especially training farmers and exporting companies to make the grade. This will make sure the production follows strictly monitor pest contamination in fruit.

Per the Plant Protection Department director, every pomelo batch leaving Vietnam for the US will be exposed to radiation at the US-recognized irradiation establishments under the supervision of the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Plant Protection Department. Another level of protection is to ensure only quality products reach the American tables.

In Vietnam, pomelo is a prominent fruit and is often at the center of the table on special occasions. Pomelo signifies completeness and perfection for the locals. Although the peeling part is a challenge, it’s all worth it, considering how nutritious, refreshing and healthy the fruit is.

Pomelo is not only fruit for dessert but also has many useful values. Vietnamese love mixing it in a salad, which matches perfectly with shrimp.