Enhancing quality standards, advancing public-private partnerships – Expanding export markets for Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable sector

On the morning of April 11, 2025, in Da Lat City, the Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture in Viet Nam (PSAV), in collaboration with the National Agricultural Extension Center (NAEC), organized a workshop titled ″Enhancing Compliance Capacity, Standards, and Quality to Promote Fruit and Vegetable Exports from Viet Nam.″

The workshop was held within the framework of the project ″Strengthening Capacity and Sharing Experiences of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Models for Sustainable Agricultural Development,″ funded by PepsiCo through CARE International. Implemented from 2022 to 2025, the project aims to foster public-private collaboration, replicate good agricultural practices, strengthen the capacity of smallholder farmers to apply sustainable practices, and promote the role of women in agricultural value chains. With initial positive results, the project is expected to expand into a second phase, contributing to Viet Nam’s inclusive, green, and sustainable agricultural transformation.

Boosting Exports through Quality Standardization, Market Access, and Technology Innovation

At the workshop, participants discussed the current status, challenges, and solutions for boosting fruit and vegetable exports. According to Mr. Le Vu Ngoc Kien from the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD), the fruit and vegetable sector has become a key contributor to Viet Nam’s agricultural exports, with its share increasing from 6.7% in 2022 to 12.4% in 2024. Notably, export values of durian (up 43.5%), coconut (60.7%), mango (48.3%), and banana (20%) have surged, while exports of dragon fruit declined by 15.1%.

Regarding market destinations, the U.S. currently accounts for 58% of the total export volume of durian, dragon fruit, grapefruit, passion fruit, pineapple, and mango. China accounts for 63% of durian exports and a significant share of watermelon, coconut, jackfruit, and banana. Other important markets include Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, and Thailand.

To enhance competitiveness, Mr. Kien proposed several solutions: identifying target markets for specific products; standardizing quality and safety practices; improving access to distribution channels; building brand recognition; and promoting value-added processing through PPP initiatives.

Ms. Hoang Mai Van Anh (UNIDO) emphasized the need to invest in infrastructure, improve compliance with quality standards, and build a supportive policy ecosystem for agricultural quality enhancement. Meanwhile, Mr. Le Nhu Thinh from the Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute shared technologies in tissue culture and genetic transformation to improve plant resilience, as well as modern processing methods such as heat-pump drying, freeze-drying, and vacuum frying to increase product value.

Public-Private Partnership: A Key Driver for Export-Oriented Agriculture

From the private sector, Ms. Nguyen Mai Chi – Director of External Relations and Communications at PepsiCo Viet Nam – introduced PepsiCo’s efforts in developing raw material zones, investing in high-tech processing facilities, and establishing a tightly controlled supply chain to ensure quality and traceability. PepsiCo is committed to pioneering public-private partnerships with a strong linkage between enterprises and farmers.

Ms. Vu Lan Huong – Project Manager of CARE Viet Nam – stressed three key factors for successful PPP implementation: (1) building trust and ensuring transparent dialogue mechanisms; (2) empowering vulnerable groups, especially women and ethnic minorities; and (3) designing inclusive, adaptable, and sustainable partnership models. CARE continues to play the role of connector between communities and businesses, ensuring that no one is left behind in agricultural development.

Mr. Le Quoc Thanh – Director of the National Agricultural Extension Center – emphasized that to gain a firm foothold in the global market, Viet Nam’s fruit and vegetable sector must professionalize its production process and foster close linkages among farmers, cooperatives, enterprises, and scientists. While exporters are often well-informed of international standards, such knowledge must also reach producers at the grassroots level. It is essential to support them in adopting good practices from farming to packaging, processing, and logistics.

He proposed expanding pesticide residue monitoring programs in key production areas such as Lam Dong, Tien Giang, Long An, and Dak Lak; promoting organic and bio-agriculture; and enhancing PPP initiatives to drive innovation and boost competitiveness across the sector.

Policy Direction: Accelerating Digital Transformation and Expanding International Cooperation

Concluding the workshop, Mr. To Viet Chau – Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment – acknowledged the insightful discussions and emphasized the importance of digital transformation in production and export. He encouraged continued innovation, science and technology application, and the strengthening of PPP cooperation to build a professional, sustainable, and competitive fruit and vegetable sector that meets international standards.