Preliminary customs data shows seafood shipments reached US$6.23 billion, up nearly 13% year-on-year, while fruit and vegetable exports rose over 17% to touch US$4.23 billion.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), this growth stems from market adaptability, product adjustments, and stronger sales to nearby countries with stable demand and lower logistics costs.

Exporters have successfully adjusted to smaller, short-term orders, competitive prices, and stricter origin-tracing and quality requirements.

The fruit and vegetable sector also posted strong gains due to stable supply, expanded production areas, and solid demand from core markets.

In the first half of 2026, China remained the largest buyer, taking 51.2% of total exports (up 27.9% year-on-year), followed by the US at 8.4% (up 12.2%) and the Republic of Korea (RoK) at 5.1% (up 8.4%). New official export protocols have opened further access to the Chinese market.

Both sectors hold strong potential to accelerate through the remainder of the year on peak holiday demand. However, exporters face rising reefer container shipping rates, strict growing area codes, and green standards.

If target goals are achieved-around US$12 billion for seafood and US$10 billion for fruit and vegetables, the two sectors will contribute a combined US$22 billion to total agricultural export revenues in 2026.

Source: VOV