China Drives Surge in Vietnam's Fruit and Vegetable Exports in May
Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports jumped in May 2026, with China absorbing the bulk of the growth. Shipments to China reached $398.0 million, up 63.7% from the previous month, while the United States and South Korea trailed far behind.
China absorbs the bulk of the growth
Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports advanced sharply in May 2026, driven overwhelmingly by demand from China. According to anninhthudo.vn, shipments to China — Vietnam's largest market for the sector — reached $398.0 million in May, up 63.7% from the previous month and 19.4% higher than the same period of 2025.
The report attributes the strong monthly gain to sustained high import demand from China, together with favourable seasonal supply and stable customs clearance. Over the first five months of 2026, exports to China totalled $1.4 billion, an increase of 27.7% year on year, accounting for 51.2% of Vietnam's total fruit and vegetable export turnover.
United States and South Korea trail far behind
The United States remained Vietnam's second-largest market for fruit and vegetables. May shipments reached $54.3 million, up 11.4% from the previous month and 1.3% higher year on year. Cumulative exports to the US came to $232.9 million, a rise of 12.1%, or 8.4% of the national total.
South Korea ranked third with $31.0 million in May. That figure was down 8.7% from the previous month but 6.1% higher than in May 2025. Exports to the European Union also rose strongly during the month, according to the report.
Concentration risk remains
The market structure shows Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports remain heavily concentrated in China, while the United States, South Korea and the EU continue to post positive growth. For importers and exporters, that concentration is the central variable: with China accounting for more than half of turnover, any shift in Chinese import demand or clearance conditions would move the sector's overall numbers.
- China: $398.0 million in May, +63.7% month-on-month, +19.4% year on year; $1.4 billion over five months, 51.2% of the total.
- United States: $54.3 million in May, +11.4% month-on-month; $232.9 million over five months, 8.4% of the total.
- South Korea: $31.0 million in May, -8.7% month-on-month, +6.1% year on year.
The report frames the picture as early evidence that market diversification is working, while stressing the continued need to expand into potential markets to reduce the risk of depending on a single buyer.
