Veggie, Fruit Exports Fairly Rise in First Quarter

Vietnam is estimated to have exported US$71 million worth of vegetables and fruit in the first quarter 2007, hitting on year rise of nearly 14 per cent, the latest report of the General Statistics Office said.

 

The figure showed the country fulfilled 23 per cent of its fruit and vegetable export target, set at US$300 million for 2007.

 

In Mar alone, Vietnam has shipped US$25 million of vegetables and fruit abroad. In Feb, the country exported US$20.77 million veggie and fruits, down 16.3 per cent from Jan 2007 but up more than 61 per cent from the same period of last year.

 

The country plans to set up three centers in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai, the central highlands province of Da Lat and HCM City, to facilitate the exchange and export of fruit, vegetables and flowers.

 

The centers, part of a national program focusing on these particular exports, are scheduled to start operation next year, said the ministry of Trade.

 

The country expects to reap US$600-US$700 million annually from exporting vegetables, flowers and fruit by 2010, and is pouring investment into specialty and high quality fruits like the Can orange of Can Tho City; the Doan Hung, Phuc Trach and Nam Roi grapefruits; the sweet mango of Vinh Long, Ben Tre and Tien Giang Provinces; and the blue dragon fruit of Binh Thuan Province. (GSO Mar Edition, www.rauhoaquavn.vn)