“Vietnamese Fruit Hailed as ‘World’s Best’ by Former US Ambassador: China’s Obsession, Cultivated Across 110,000+ Hectares”

According to preliminary statistics from the Customs Department, Vietnam’s mango exports, including fresh and processed products, reached over $27 million in August, a 22% increase compared to the same month in 2024.

In the first eight months of the year, Vietnam earned more than $205 million from fresh mango exports, a 13% rise year-on-year. Processed mango exports also saw a modest 7% growth, reaching $88 million.

Mangoes consistently rank among Vietnam’s top 10 fruit and vegetable exports. Notably, Vietnamese mangoes dominate 97% of China’s imported mango market, outperforming competitors like Peru, Australia, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

China’s demand for mangoes has soared in recent years due to a growing appetite for tropical fruits, both for fresh consumption and processing. Additionally, China’s domestic supply shortages during off-seasons make imported mangoes a crucial market stabilizer.

The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association attributes the appeal of Vietnamese mangoes to their consistent quality, competitive pricing, flexible harvesting seasons, high yields, and low labor costs. Specialty varieties like Hòa Lộc and Cát Chu mangoes are particularly popular in China for their sweet, aromatic flavor.

Earlier this year, Tiền Giang province, in collaboration with Vina T&T Import-Export Service Trading Company, exported one ton of green-skinned mangoes to the United States and six tons to Australia.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, Daniel J. Kritenbrink, fondly recalled his first taste of mangoes in Cần Thơ in 2018. “It was the best mango I’ve ever had. I’d say it’s one of the best in the world,” he remarked.

In recent years, mango cultivation has become a key economic driver in the Mekong Delta, with nearly 2,000 hectares certified under VietGap and GlobalGAP standards. Besides China, Vietnam supplies mangoes to demanding markets such as the U.S., South Korea, Japan, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.

Since early October, mango farmers have been encouraged by rising prices, up by $0.09 to $0.44 per kilogram compared to the previous month. In An Giang, premium green-skinned mangoes from Taiwan and China are fetching $0.53 to $0.67 per kilogram, while second-grade fruits range from $0.26 to $0.35 per kilogram. Keo mangoes are priced between $0.44 and $0.53 per kilogram.

Farmers linked with businesses or cooperatives enjoy prices 10-20% higher than market rates. The price increase is attributed to off-season production declines, reducing supply while domestic and export demand remains high.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has set an ambitious target for 2030: 140,000 hectares of mango cultivation, 1.5 million tons of output, and $650 million in export revenue.