Vietnam has seen a sharp rise in imports of processed fruits and nuts during the first four months of 2025, despite having abundant raw material resources at home, according to Giao Thuong. Data from the General Department of Customs shows that the country imported processed fruits and nuts worth $517 million, a 39% increase compared to the same period last year. Among these, areca nut and processed coconut imports stood out with the most significant growth.
Vietnam spent $11.3 million on processed areca nut imports, up more than 1,300% year-on-year. Much of these imports consist of areca nut candy from China, which remains highly popular among Chinese communities in Vietnam. While Vietnam has extensive domestic areca cultivation areas, especially in Quang Ngai province, the lack of large-scale processing facilities forces most local production to be sold raw or at low domestic prices.
Similarly, imports of processed coconut products reached $7.2 million, increasing more than elevenfold compared to last year. This growth occurs despite Vietnam's sizable domestic coconut sector, which spans approximately 200,000 hectares and produces around 2 million tons annually, with a significant portion meeting organic standards for major export markets, such as the U.S. and EU. The Mekong Delta remains Vietnam's core coconut-producing region.
The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT) attributes these rising imports to gaps in domestic processing capacity. Although Vietnam's coconut export industry remains strong, with export turnover reaching nearly $1.1 billion in 2024, domestic demand for value-added products continues to drive imports, particularly as climate change and pest challenges impact supply across the region.
Source: Giao Thuong