Vietnam’s Million-Dollar Export Sensation: U.S. and China Rush to Secure Top 5 Global Supplier’s Premium Product

According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, fresh coconut exports have secured a spot among the top 6 highest-value fruit exports, reaching over $41 million in September, a 19% increase year-on-year. In the first nine months of the year, Vietnam earned more than $131 million from fresh coconuts, a 17% rise compared to the same period in 2024.

Beyond fresh and dried coconuts, Vietnam has exported over 100 coconut-derived products, including coconut oil, canned coconut water, and dried coconut meat, to dozens of countries and territories. In the past nine months, processed coconut products achieved an export turnover of nearly $260 million, a robust 55% increase year-on-year.

The United States has emerged as Vietnam’s largest market, accounting for nearly 26% of total coconut export revenue. This surge in U.S. imports is driven by strong demand from retail chains and the beverage industry, with Vietnamese coconuts gaining popularity among American consumers.

China ranks second, while other markets such as Spain, Puerto Rico, Australia, and Cambodia have significantly increased their imports of Vietnamese coconuts, with growth rates ranging from 2 to 3 times.

After over a decade of concerted efforts by local governments, businesses, and the Vietnam Coconut Association, this fruit—deeply rooted in Southern Vietnamese culture—has established a new foothold, paving the way for its entry into the billion-dollar agricultural product group.

Following consolidation, Vinh Long Province now boasts coconut plantations covering over 50% of the country’s total coconut area (nearly 120,000 hectares, with approximately 22 million trees), making it the province’s primary crop. On average, nearly 270,000 coconut-farming households in Vinh Long enjoy stable annual incomes ranging from $4,300 to $6,400 per hectare.

Among long-term industrial crops, coconuts rank fourth in area, following rubber, coffee, and cashews. However, a decade ago, coconuts held no position in the export map. Through self-driven efforts, by 2024, the coconut industry’s export turnover had reached nearly $1 billion. In early 2024, coconuts were designated as a key national industrial crop.

This transformation has been fueled by the development of over 250 processing facilities, including 80 companies focused on deep processing, alongside the emergence of large-scale coconut farms. The sweet and distinctively flavored Siamese coconut has been granted geographical indication status in Ben Tre. Diverse coconut-based products, such as coconut fiber, leaves, and agricultural substrates, also present significant potential in the processing and handicraft sectors.

Nevertheless, Vietnam’s coconut industry faces challenges stemming from traditional production practices, climate change, pests, diseases, and market price volatility.

Coconuts are increasingly recognized as a “global superfood,” with the global market projected to grow from $3.5 billion in 2023 to $8.2 billion by 2032. As the world’s seventh-largest coconut producer, Vietnam has capitalized on this opportunity through a clear development strategy:

National Priority Policy: The Vietnamese government has classified coconuts as one of the six key industrial crops, eligible for special support in land, credit, and trade promotion.

Logistical Advantage: Vietnam’s proximity to China reduces transportation time and logistics costs, providing a competitive edge over rivals like Thailand.

“The Chinese market, previously reliant on Thai supplies, has shifted significantly toward Vietnamese imports,” noted Tattawin Saruno, an independent scholar and Thai agricultural management expert.

Exports of fresh and processed coconuts to China increased by several hundred percent in 2025 alone, solidifying Vietnam’s position as Asia’s emerging supply hub.