HANOI: Australia and New Zealand continue to underline their potential as key fresh produce suppliers to the Vietnamese market. Citing data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Vietnam Bridge reported the value of Australian imports in the South East Asian nation over the first half of 2016 rose to almost US$20m, four times the value of the trade over the corresponding period of 2015. New Zealand imports doubled in value to nearly US$11.3m
Australia and New Zealand’s growing presence reflects a willingness for Vietnamese consumers to pay a premium for high-end offerings, including table grapes, citrus and apples. Thailand remains the largest player in Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable import trade, generating US$144m in sales over the first half of this year.
China increased its half-on-half sales by 30 per cent to US$80m, while the US came in as the third most valuable exporter to Vietnam over the opening six months of the year with US$32m. Overall, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable imports hit US$351m over the first half of 2016, up 40 per cent on the same period two years ago.
