For consecutive years, Vietnam’s agricultural exports have been steadily growing, consistently breaking records in area, yield, and market reach.

2024 is no exception. This year witnessed coffee exports surpassing $5 billion for the first time, cashews exceeding $4 billion, fruits and vegetables growing by $1 billion compared to 2023, shrimp exports reaching $4 billion, and rice hitting a new milestone of nearly $6 billion.

Historic Milestones Across Key Sectors

In 2024, Vietnam’s coffee industry achieved an export turnover of $5.2 billion, crossing the $5 billion mark for the first time. According to Mr. Nguyen Nam Hai, Chairman of the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association, rising coffee prices were the main factor behind this success, despite a 14% drop in export volume compared to the previous year.

Average coffee prices peaked at $5,720 per ton in October. Although slightly declining in November to $5,580 per ton, prices remained at desirable levels, contributing to a 35% increase in export turnover. Impressively, Vietnam’s coffee prices ranked as the highest globally in 2024.

The cashew industry also made significant strides, achieving a turnover of $4.2 billion, with production surpassing 700,000 tons for the first time. Similarly, the rice industry reported remarkable results, exporting 9 million tons for a total of $5.7 billion, far exceeding the 8.1 million tons exported in 2023. Major markets like the Philippines and China played a critical role in this success.

Cavendish Bananas: A Star in the Fruit Sector

Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable sector reached $7.1 billion in 2024, marking a 27% increase compared to the previous year. Among these, Cavendish bananas emerged as a standout product, dominating markets and generating significant value.

For the first time, Vietnamese bananas outpaced those from the Philippines, becoming the top choice for consumers in China, the world’s largest banana importer. Banana export turnover neared $1.2 billion, a 35% increase from 2023, solidifying Vietnam’s global agricultural footprint.

TLF, one of Vietnam’s prominent exporters, has significantly contributed to this achievement. Acting as a bridge between farmers in Dong Nai, Binh Duong, and Binh Phuoc provinces and international markets, TLF ensures quality control from cultivation to packaging. By adhering to strict international standards, the company not only enhances sustainable values but also elevates the reputation of Vietnamese bananas.

With the support of enterprises like TLF, Vietnamese bananas are not only meeting increasing global demand but also penetrating new markets, such as the Middle East and South Korea. According to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, Vietnamese bananas will continue leading the way with stable output, high quality, and the professionalism of businesses.

Quality: The Cornerstone of Future Growth

The success of Vietnam’s agricultural exports in 2024 sets a strong foundation for sustainable growth in 2025. However, challenges persist, particularly in enhancing product quality to compete in international markets.

While the fruit and vegetable sector achieved impressive results, challenges remain. For example, dragon fruit experienced negative growth due to its inability to compete with China’s lower-priced dragon fruit, despite comparable quality. Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen emphasized the need to boost dragon fruit exports to Japan and South Korea while focusing on unique products like fresh coconuts. Additionally, investing in deeper processing of fruits such as jackfruit, mango, and frozen durian could increase value significantly.

In the banana sector, TLF is spearheading initiatives to improve quality through farmer partnerships and advanced technology. The company is also expanding its presence in the Middle East and South Korea, aiming for a record-breaking banana export turnover in 2025.

2025 Agricultural Objectives

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has approved a replanting project for coffee covering nearly 110,000 hectares between 2021 and 2025, with an expected 12% increase in export turnover.