The volume of fruits and vegetables imported from Thailand is expected to surge this year as import tariffs imposed on these products are reduced to 0%, heating up pressure on their Vietnamese peers.

In 2017, Vietnam imported over US$1.55 billion worth of fruits and vegetables, an annual increase of 68%, with Thai products accounting for a lion’s share of the sum.

Thailand’s fruits and vegetables have secured a foothold in Vietnam and are taking up more shares in the market.

A number of Thai fruits such as durian, purple mangosteen and rambutan are also grown in Vietnam but still gain favour from local consumers. Thai fruits and vegetables have more stable and year-round supply compared to their Vietnamese peers.

The Vietnamese products were said to face shortcomings in post-harvest preservation process and packaging, making them less attractive to domestic consumers./.

VNF/VNA