UNITED STATES - A PROMISING MARKET FOR VIETNAMESE FRUITS

The official import of Vietnamese fruits into the U.S. will open up what great potential for Vietnam’s fruit and agricultural sector?

Opportunities unfolding from the export of Vietnamese fruits

The U.S. remains Vietnam’s second-largest fruit import market

According to data from the Customs Department, in July 2025 Vietnam’s fruit export turnover reached USD 731.36 million - Up 32.9% year-on-year. Of this, the U.S. imported USD 261.6 million (over VND 6.8 trillion) - An increase of 66%. This achievement has helped the U.S. maintain its position as the second-largest importer of Vietnam’s fruits and vegetables.

Lychees on the shelves of major U.S. retail chains - Such as Safeway and Costco. Photo: Internet

Comparison with other export markets

Data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) also shows that since the beginning of this year, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports have mainly gone to the Chinese market - accounting for 52.6% of total export value. The next two largest export destinations are the U.S. and South Korea - with respective shares of 8.4% and 5.1%. Compared with the same period last year, export value to China dropped 24.3% - while the U.S. market rose 65.5% and South Korea decreased 4.4%. Within the group of the 15 largest export markets, the U.S. recorded the strongest growth at 65.5% - while Thailand saw the steepest decline at 31.4%.

The potential of Vietnamese fruits exports - Driven by U.S. consumer trends

Strong demand from a market of 330 million people

Referring to the potential of Vietnamese fruit exports to the U.S., Mr. Do Ngoc Hung - Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in the U.S. (Ministry of Industry and Trade) - stated that the U.S. market, with a population of over 330 million, is one of the largest fruit-consuming countries in the world. American consumers have the habit of eating fruit daily, and demand is steadily increasing, especially for imported fruit during the winter season. U.S. consumers are also shifting toward a healthy lifestyle, favoring products that are natural, non-GMO, and free from harmful chemicals - which aligns well with Vietnam’s fresh fruit products.

Vietnamese lychees at the U.S market. Photo: Internet

The competitive advantages of Vietnamese fruits exports

The approval for Vietnamese fruit exports is a positive signal for Vietnam’s market. Fruits permitted for import into the U.S. - such as lychee, longan, dragon fruit, star apple, and pomelo - are unique in character and flavor, and can compete with produce from Mexico, China, and Thailand. The main customer base at present is the Asian community, particularly the growing Vietnamese diaspora, concentrated in major urban centers and key cities across the U.S.

Standardizing quality - The prerequisite for conquering the U.S. market

Strict technical standards

To export fruit to the U.S., Vietnamese businesses must comply with a wide range of requirements - from APHIS and FDA regulations to standards on irradiation, plantation codes, pesticide residue limits, heavy metals, labeling, and traceability. While these requirements pose challenges, they also create opportunities to upgrade Vietnam’s fruit export processes and align them with international standards.

Vietnam’s first mango shipment heads to the U.S. Photo: Internet

Toward sustainable development and a national brand

Not only aimed at the success of Vietnamese fruits exports, standardization also helps businesses build long-term credibility, expand market share, and elevate the brand of Vietnamese fruits exports on the global map. When combined with deep processing, market diversification, and capturing the trends of safe - nutritious consumption, Vietnam’s fruit industry can achieve a strong breakthrough in the coming period.

Conclusion

The U.S. consumer market opens up golden opportunities for the potential of Vietnamese fruits exports, but to fully seize them, businesses must remain committed to quality standardization and sustainable brand building. By combining market advantages with production capabilities that meet international standards, Vietnamese fruits exports can firmly establish their position and reach further on the global agricultural map.