Processing carrots for export. (Photo: nhandan.com.vn)

Despite fruit and vegetable exports enduring a downward trajectory due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the export of local processed fruit and vegetables has witnessed vigorous growth over the opening nine months of the year, according to Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

September alone saw Vietnam export processed fruit and vegetables worth USD59.9 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.2%, thereby causing total export turnover to surge by 14% to USD574 million on-year during the nine-month period.

The country’s major export markets for processed fruit and vegetables include China, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the Netherlands.

The MoIT have indicated that processed fruit and vegetables represent the second largest export item in terms of the fruit and vegetable product structure. In addition, it is also one of the export commodities that have not been majorly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, due to some of the complicated developments caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, several markets have moved to re-impose restrictions in an effort to contain potential outbreaks. These constraints are expected to boost consumption demand for processed products, ultimately leading to an increase in the export of processed fruit and vegetables over the coming months./.

BTA