HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam's lychee exports reached US$35 million in June, more than three times the same period last year.

The main driving force behind this surge is rising demand from various international markets for this signature Vietnamese summer fruit.

According to data from the Department of Customs, China remains the largest importer, with turnover reaching $27 million, a nearly four-fold increase compared to June 2023.

In addition to China, several demanding markets such as France, the US, Australia, Canada and the UK also recorded impressive growth rates ranging from twice to five times higher year-on-year.

In the first six months of the year, total lychee export value reached $45.4 million, up 92 per cent compared to the same period in 2023. Notably, all top 10 importing markets posted strong growth, from 10 per cent to over 2,000 per cent, demonstrating the growing appeal of Vietnamese lychees on the global stage.

Export companies noted that this year's lychees boast high quality, attractive appearance and competitive pricing, enhancing their marketability.

Notably, the area cultivated under VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards has increased significantly, meeting strict import requirements from markets like Japan, the US and Europe.

Đặng Phúc Nguyên, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association, said the quality of Vietnamese lychees had seen significant improvement thanks to the application of modern harvesting and preservation technologies, which helped extend shelf life and maintain freshness.

Additionally, many enterprises have established closed-loop supply chains with farmers, covering planting, care, and harvesting, which improves productivity and product consistency. — VNS