Thailand's fruit output is only 5.43 million tons a year, but its export turnover in 2022 is expected to reach $8.53 billion. These figures are causing the Vietnamese fruit industry to ask the question: When will we catch up?
According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam's fruit output reaches up to 12-13 million tons/year. Therefore, Vietnamese fruits are not only enough for domestic consumption but also for exporting to 60 countries and territories around the world, earning billions of dollars for the country annually.
In 2019, Vietnam's export turnover of vegetables and fruits reached $3.7 billion. However, it fell to $3.26 billion in 2020 and $3.55 billion in 2021. At the same time, that of Thailand increased from $3.76 billion in 2019 to over $4.2 billion in 2020 and up to $5.3 billion in 2021.
For Vietnam, Vietnam's fruit output is nearly 2.4 times higher, but export turnover still stands at more than $3 billion/year.
According to Ms. Vu Kim Hanh - Chairman of the Business Association of High Quality Vietnamese Products - the mindset of fruit farmers in Thailand has changed. They have organized an ecosystem of throughout companionship to support and help each other. They have gone into deep processing with higher qualifications. While Vietnamese farmers are selling fresh durian, dried durian, and frozen durian, Thailand has organized durian buffets at restaurants.
Thailand has invested heavily in market research and development. Thai universities or research institutes all set out strategies for the distant future. Marketing is also invested to become more professional and Thailand's marketing programs have been highly effective, Hanh said.
Source: vietnamnet.vn
