Vietnam banana boat

Vietnam has registered a significant rise in its fresh fruit and vegetable exports for the first half of this year, which have risen by 46.7 per cent from the corresponding period in 2012.

According to data from the General Customs Department, this increase has taken export revenue for this produce to more than US$724m for the first six months of 2013.

In the first half of September alone, Vietnam saw revenue of US$35.6m from its fresh fruit and vegetable exports.

This comprises remarkable growth for the sector, particularly during a period when other agriculture industries are struggling with volume declines and lower returns.

Export turnover for vegetables alone is likely to exceed US$1bn this year, with industry experts seeing further room of growth.

At the Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong at the beginning of this month, Vietnamese exhibitors reportedly enjoyed considerable interest from distributors and retailed based in Singapore, China, the Middle East, the US and the UK.