August 03, 2025 | vnExpress |
Vietnam’s dragon fruit exports fell sharply in June, plunging 53% from May due to poor supply, stronger overseas competition, and administrative hurdles. China, the largest buyer, cut purchases by 60%, while India, the U.S., and the UAE also reduced imports by nearly half. Overall, exports in the first half of 2025 dropped 1.5% year-on-year, according to Vietnam Customs.
Industry leaders pointed to unfavorable May–June weather, which triggered fungal diseases and crop losses, leaving many shipments below quality standards. At the same time, increased supply from China, India, and South America made it harder for Vietnamese fruit to compete on price.
Administrative changes also compounded difficulties. From July 1, responsibility for issuing mandatory food safety certificates for EU shipments shifted to provincial People’s Committees after a provincial merger reduced their number from 63 to 34. The transition caused delays of about 10 days, leaving hundreds of tons stuck in cold storage. By late July, more than 100 tons had spoiled, with further volumes awaiting clearance.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has instructed agencies to coordinate with provinces and ministries to resolve certification bottlenecks quickly, ensuring timely customs clearance and protecting Vietnam’s agricultural export reputation.
