Vietnam spends over 1 billion USD importing vegetables, fruits

In January-August, Vietnam shipped 2.32 billion USD worth of fruits and vegetables abroad (Illustrative image. Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam imported vegetables and fruits worth of more than 1 billion USD in the first eight months of 2017, a year-on-year increase of 94 percent.

During the period, Thailand remained Vietnam’s largest import market, accounting for 62 percent of total vegetable and fruit import value, followed by China, with 16 percent.

In spite of being an agricultural country that exports its green produce across the world, Vietnam has spent a huge amount of money importing vegetables and fruits. 

The country’s fruit and vegetable imports from Thailand rose by 3.2 times from last year, while its imports from the Indian and New Zealand markets were 2.2 times and 2 times higher, according the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The fruits imported include apple, orange, pear, kiwi, cherry (from New Zealand and Australia), mango and custard apple (from Thailand). 

Products imported from China are mainly cabbage, lettuce, potato, orange and apple.

In January-August, Vietnam shipped 2.32 billion USD worth of fruits and vegetables abroad.