Export turnover from Vietnamese fruits and vegetables is expected to hit $600 million in 2011, making Vietnam the fifth-biggest exporter in Asia . By the end of November, turnover had already reached $515 million, a year-on-year increase of 40.6 per cent, fulfilling 109.5 per cent of the yearly target of $470 million, said Huynh Quang Dau, Vice President of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association.
Bestselling fruits include dragon fruit, star apple, mangosteen, longan and lychee which are shipped to the EU and Asian countries in large quantities. Japan remains the major consumer of Vietnamese fruit and vegetables, with purchases worth $51.2 million, up 21 per cent compared with the same period last year. However, Vietnamese fruits and vegetables still face shortcomings in quality, safety and packaging. It is estimated that post-harvest losses remains high, at 25 per cent.