Vietnam’s Million-Dollar Treasure Outshines Durian, Captivating China and the U.S.: Exports Surge Over 5,000%, Production Hits 300,000 Tons

According to the Customs Department, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports in August 2025 reached $951 million, a 24% increase compared to July and a 13% rise year-on-year. In the first eight months, the country earned $4.8 billion, up 2% from the same period last year.

A standout highlight in this year’s export picture is the remarkable growth in the U.S. market. Fruit and vegetable exports to the U.S. in August hit $363.3 million, soaring 59.8% year-on-year, making the U.S. Vietnam’s second-largest export market.

Meanwhile, China, a traditional market, is showing signs of stable recovery. Alongside durian regaining momentum, other fruit and vegetable exports are also experiencing strong growth. Notably, lychee exports reached nearly $3 million, a staggering 5,600% increase compared to August 2024. Year-to-date, this product has brought Vietnam over $72 million, up 300% year-on-year.

China remains the largest consumer, accounting for over 70%. Demanding markets like the Netherlands, Australia, France, the U.S., and the UK have also recorded impressive growth.

The surge in Vietnamese lychee exports is attributed to lower farm-gate prices, abundant supply, and strong import demand. Additionally, the rapid expansion of VietGAP and GlobalGAP-certified farming areas meets stringent standards from Japan, the U.S., and the EU.

This year, fresh Vietnamese lychees debuted in Costco, North America’s largest retailer with over 635 stores in the U.S. and Canada. Previously, Vietnamese lychees were only sporadically available in chains like Safeway. Entering Costco is a significant milestone, bringing this summer specialty to a global retail channel.

The Vietnam Trade Office in San Francisco will continue supporting businesses in expanding their product portfolios and introducing more key agricultural products to the U.S. market.

According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, lychee quality has improved thanks to modern preservation technology, extending freshness. Many businesses have also established production-to-consumption chains, enhancing productivity and quality consistency.

In 2025, the area of lychee farms meeting VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards continued to expand, qualifying for official exports to the U.S., Japan, and the EU. After irradiation treatment in Vietnam, lychees are shipped by sea to optimize preservation and maintain quality upon reaching consumers.

This year, farm-gate lychee prices ranged from $0.35 to $0.90 per kg, with some high-quality batches fetching $1.10 to $1.30. At the peak of the season, prices reached $1.50 to $1.80. In international markets, Vietnamese lychees retail for approximately $8.70 to $13.00 per kg.

According to the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, the 2025 lychee harvest is projected at 303,000 tons, up 30% from 2024, with Bac Giang alone contributing 165,000 tons. Lychees are primarily cultivated in Bac Giang and Hai Duong, the country’s two largest hubs. Luc Ngan (Bac Giang) supplies over 100,000 tons annually, renowned for its large, sweet fruits; Thanh Ha (Hai Duong) is known for its thin skin, thick flesh, and sweet aroma, successfully entering the Japanese market since 2020.

Beyond these key regions, lychees are also grown in Quang Ninh, Hung Yen, Hanoi, and experimentally in the Central Highlands and Lam Dong, though large-scale production remains limited due to unsuitable climates.

The growth of other products like bananas, coconuts, pineapples, passion fruit, and processed mangoes significantly contributes to export diversification. With strong momentum, the fruit and vegetable sector is projected to reach $8 billion in exports in 2025.