From preliminary data of the General Department of Customs, the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association preliminary calculation in October, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable imports are estimated at nearly 130.7 million USD, up 17% over the same period in 2020. Accumulated in 10 months of 2021, the import value of Vietnam's vegetables and fruits is estimated at 1.201 billion USD, up 14.7% over the same period in 2020.

According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, in 9 months, China is the largest source of vegetables and fruits for Vietnam, accounting for nearly 30% of the market share, equivalent to 317.4 million USD, up nearly 32% compared to the same period last year. period last year.

Professionally packed Chinese cabbage (on the car) next to Vietnamese agricultural products in simple bags - Photo: Ngoc Anh

The US ranked second with nearly 223.5 million USD, up nearly 1% over the same period in 2020.

Thailand used to be ranked No. 1 in supplying vegetables to Vietnam for many years, but now it has dropped to 7th position with an import value of only nearly 31 million USD, down 45% over the same period last year.

Explaining the sharp increase of Chinese fruits and vegetables in the first nine months of the year, Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said that during the time the southern provinces and Ho Chi Minh City implemented the social distancing measures. To combat the Covid-19 epidemic, Vietnamese agricultural products have difficulty in harvesting and transporting to consumers.

Chinese apples are sold on the sidewalk in Ho Chi Minh City in October 2021 - Photo: Ngoc Anh

"Meanwhile, the Chinese side is almost unaffected by the epidemic, so the production and harvesting of agricultural products is still normal. The transfer of a container of vegetables and fruits from the Chinese border at this time to Hanoi or other provinces. In the North, Central, and even Ho Chi Minh City, it is easier to collect goods from Western gardens or Lam Dong to other provinces.For vegetables, Vietnam has a surplus to China, so Chinese goods take advantage of empty trucks. In the afternoon (for example, a car carrying dragon fruit to the border - PV) with cheap freight, the prices of carrots, cabbage, potatoes, apples, etc. are very cheap in China in Vietnam." - Mr. Nguyen analyzed.