Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports set August record as China takes 77.4%
Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports reached a record $1.37 billion in August 2026, according to customs data, with China generating 77.4% of the month’s proceeds. Eight-month estimates range from $6.02 billion to more than $6.15 billion, reflecting different official datasets.
August shipments cross the $1 billion mark
Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports reached a monthly record in August 2026 as the Central Highlands durian harvest expanded available supplies and sales to China accelerated. Vietnambiz, citing the latest data from Vietnam Customs, reported exports of more than $1.37 billion for the month, up 27.6% from July and 44.5% from August 2025. It was the sector’s sixth consecutive month of growth.
A separate estimate published by Vietbao and attributed to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment put August exports at $1.24 billion. The ministry estimated eight-month revenue at $6.02 billion, a rise of 24.9% year on year, while customs data cited by Vietnambiz showed more than $6.15 billion and growth of 27.7%. The difference reflects the use of separate official datasets and does not alter the broader picture of rapid export expansion.
China drives the monthly record
China generated $1.06 billion of Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable export revenue in August, according to Vietnam Customs data reported by Vietnambiz. That was 36.9% more than in July and 56.7% above the level recorded a year earlier. China therefore accounted for 77.4% of total monthly proceeds, underlining the market’s decisive role during the peak durian shipping period.
For January through August, the customs figures put exports to China at more than $3.87 billion, up 38.8%, and equal to about 63% of Vietnam’s total. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment dataset cited by Vietbao gave China a 58.9% share and year-on-year growth of 33.1%. The United States was the second-largest destination in the customs series, taking $427.9 million in eight months, up 17.9%. Vietbao reported shares of 7.6% for the United States and 4.2% for South Korea, with sales rising 14.4% and 9.6%, respectively.
Durian supply supports the outlook
Durian was the main driver of the August result. Major growing areas in Đắk Lắk and Lâm Đồng entered peak harvest, supplying the Chinese market as Thailand’s summer durian season ended. The Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Import-Export Department expects the September and October harvests in Đắk Lắk, Lâm Đồng and Gia Lai to support a further $1.5 billion-$2 billion of durian exports during the final months of 2026. Seasonal demand around the Mid-Autumn Festival, Christmas and Lunar New Year is also expected to support dragon fruit, fresh coconut, pomelo, mango and passion fruit sales in China and Northeast Asia.
Vietnam is broadening its product and market base alongside fresh durian. Exports include coconut, pistachio, passion fruit, jackfruit, chili, pineapple, pomelo and chrysanthemum, while dried, frozen IQF and juice products account for more than 30% of total sector revenue. Vietnamese pomelo gained access to Australia, with the first shipment dispatched in April 2026. Further expansion will depend on registered growing-area codes, approved packing facilities, pest controls, food safety and traceability. For producers and processors, the record revenue increases the incentive to invest in post-harvest storage and processing, but the concentration of sales in China leaves the sector exposed to changes in demand, technical standards and trade policy in its largest market.
