Vietnam dragonfruit

The value of Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports has soared in number of key Asian markets over the first half of 2013, according to a report by Vietnam News.

Citing figures from the Vietnamese Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry, the report claimed the sector’s total exports topped US$490m, a 33 per cent increase on the corresponding time period last year.

The most significant growth was in the Japanese market, which imported US$55m worth of Vietnamese produce, a rise of 104 per cent on the first two quartiles of 2012.

Returns also rose by more than 80 per cent in both the South Korea and Thailand markets.

China remains Vietnam’s core market in Asia, importing US$90m worth of fruit and vegetables in the six months to 30 June 2013, however this reflected a comparatively modest growth rate of 9 per cent.

Dragon fruit sales accounted for 40 per cent of the total export value, while rambutan, mangoes and longan also proved popular.