Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports to Japan continue to expand, supported by growing demand for safe and organic products.
The Vietnam Trade Office in Osaka reported that Japan has a high demand for tropical fruits and frozen vegetables, products where Vietnam has established strengths. With more than 634,000 Vietnamese living and studying in Japan, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the total overseas Vietnamese community, this group also contributes to the demand for Vietnamese produce.
Cashew nuts, dragon fruit, coconuts, fresh lychees, and dried fruits are now widely available in major Japanese retail chains such as AEON, Don Quijote, and Ito Yokado. During the 2025 lychee season, around 200 tonnes of fresh lychees were exported to Japan, reaching supermarkets and online platforms. In the first quarter of 2025, Japan became Vietnam’s fourth-largest fruit export market, increasing by 22.8% compared with the same period in 2024.
Export promotion activities are being coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien stated, “It is a must to coordinate with relevant agencies and organisations to enhance and diversify trade promotion activities to support import and export. This includes implementing large-scale trade programs tailored to specific industries in key markets.”
According to MoAE, Vietnam exported fruit and vegetables valued at US$21.5 billion in the first seven months of 2025, a 17% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
In the European Union, Vietnam’s agricultural counsellor Tran Van Cong pointed to untapped potential for fruit and vegetable exports. He emphasised the importance of expanding raw material zones that meet EU standards and establishing disease-free production areas to help negotiations for access to animal product markets. “A long-term communication strategy is essential to counter negative publicity about Vietnamese seafood in the EU, while continuously reviewing and upgrading quality, food safety, and sustainability standards to align with EU benchmarks,” Cong said.
Asian Ingredients Group (AIG) is also expanding its processed fruit and vegetable portfolio while strengthening trade promotion and links with global distribution networks. “AIG products are now available in over 50 countries and territories,” the company reported. “In the long term, we are pursuing a dual strategy, consolidating core products with global competitive advantages while expanding organic raw material areas, developing premium processed agricultural lines, and increasing technological applications across our factories.”
Source: Vietnam Investment Review
AloJapan.com