In the first half of the year, Vietnam’s imports from the US rose 19 percent year-on-year, to $6.9 billion. Cars and fruits were leading the way.

Data from Vietnam Customs show that 14 import categories recorded a value of $100 million or higher, with the strongest growth seen in cars, rising by 107 percent to over $24 million. Vegetables and fruit imports rose 70 percent, reaching over $116 million, while seafood climbed 67 percent to $47 million. Confectionery and cereal product imports increased 66 percent to over $5 million.

Exports
Vietnams agricultural sector gained $23 billion from farming, forestry and fishery exports in the first seven months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 2 per cent, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Major farm produce shipped overseas brought home $10.8 billion, but the ministry said the total export value of the major agricultural products fell 8.2 percent year on year due to a dro in several products like cashews, pepper, coffee and rice.

Fruit & vegetable exports
The ministry also reported the vegetable and fruit industry, which showed strong export growth in recent months, nevertheless post a slight reduction in export value in the first seven months of the year, down 0.8 percent year on year to $2.3 billion, including $269 million in July.

China was the biggest importer of Vietnamese vegetables and fruits with nearly $1.5 billion, up 1.1 percent year on year, accounting for 71.9 percent of the market share. It was followed by the US ($70.2 million) and South Korea ($65.3 million).

Impressive growth was seen in exports of fruits and vegetables to Cameroon (up 10.16 times), the Dominican Republic (up 8.37 times) and Guam (5.11 times).