Vietnamese Bananas Gaining Market Share in Japan
According to Nikkei Asia, Vietnamese bananas are making their mark in the Japanese market, gradually taking market share from their Philippine counterparts due to their freshness and competitive pricing.
Impressive Growth
Statistics from Japan’s trade data, as cited by TTXVN correspondents in Tokyo, reveal that banana imports from Vietnam reached 33,000 tons in 2024, a nearly fourteen-fold increase compared to 2019.
In July 2025, the volume of Vietnamese bananas exported to the Tokyo area doubled compared to the previous year. While the market share of Vietnamese bananas is still modest, this growth is remarkable.
Packing bananas for export to Japan at Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group
In the largest market, China, banana imports totaled 1.69 million tons, valued at US$908 million in 2024, a decrease of 4.6% in volume and 16% in value compared to 2023.
However, imports from Vietnam to China continued to grow impressively, reaching 625,000 tons, worth US$261 million, an increase of 28% in volume and 7% in value. In contrast, bananas from the Philippines saw a sharp decline of 32% in volume and 39% in value, reaching only 463,000 tons and US$262 million.
Fresher, Cheaper, and Better
On August 11, NLD correspondents spoke with Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, Secretary-General of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, who attributed this success to the significant improvements in the quality and pricing of Vietnamese bananas in recent years.
Additionally, lower logistics costs give Vietnamese bananas a competitive edge in the Japanese and Chinese markets. Moreover, the Philippines, a powerhouse in banana exports, has been battling the Panama disease (Fusarium Wilt), which has hindered their competitiveness.
According to Mr. Nguyen, China also has domestic banana production, but Vietnamese exporters can avoid price drops by timing their exports when China’s domestic harvest is low.
Mr. Vo Quan Huy, Director of Huy Long An – My Binh Company, shared that the Japanese market has stringent standards for bananas. Successfully exporting to this market boosts their credibility when approaching Chinese buyers.
In the first half of 2025, bananas were the third highest-value export product, after durians and dragon fruits, reaching US$233 million, an increase of nearly 55% compared to the same period last year.
The Rising Star of Vietnamese Fruit: Japan’s New Favorite Export with a 1400% Surge and Soon-to-be Zero Tariff Advantage.
The Vietnamese product in question is making waves in Japan, challenging the market share of similar Filipino exports. With its unique qualities and competitive pricing, it is giving its Philippine counterpart a run for its money.
The Power of Logistics: Unlocking Vietnam’s Rapidly Growing Service Sector
According to the Vietnam Logistics Service Enterprises Association (VLA), the logistics industry in Vietnam has been growing at a remarkable rate of 14% – 16% in recent years, reaching a scale of 40 – 42 billion USD annually.
The $5.8 Billion Road that will Connect Vietnam’s Richest Region
This is the biggest road infrastructure project the region has ever seen.
The Ocean Freight ‘Blows Away’ Profits: A Costly Conundrum for Businesses
“The surge in ocean freight rates poses a significant threat to the competitiveness of import-export businesses, warn experts. The spiraling costs could potentially disrupt supply chains and undermine the viability of companies engaged in international trade.”
