Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports are flourishing, with an annual 28.1% increase in value to $2.59 billion recorded in the first five months of this year.

Durian, dragon fruit, jackfruit, and banana remain major currency earners, said Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association Nguyen Thanh Binh.

He predicted the positive trend will continue, citing abundant domestic supply and rising demand from both traditional and emerging markets.

However, Director of the Department of Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Nguyen Nhu Cuong highlighted a potential challenge.

Unfavorable weather conditions have significantly reduced the preliminary estimate for lychee production in 2024. The current forecast sits at around 200,000 tonnes, a decrease of nearly half compared to 2023.

The northern province of Bac Giang, a major lychee producer, exemplifies this challenge. The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development estimated an output of over 100,000 tonnes from its 29,700 ha of lychee trees, which is just half of what it achieved in 2023. The province expects lychee exports to reach around 70,000 tonnes this year, representing 70% of the total output.