Fruit and vegetable export revenue in the first six months of the year reached nearly $3.5 billion, marking a significant increase of 28% year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

In June alone, the export value of fruits and vegetable was estimated at approximately $780 million.

Durian, dragon fruit and bananas are among key products that contributed to the export growth in the first half of the year, according to the MARD.

The export growth was mainly attributed to increasing demand from key markets such as China, South Korea, the US, Japan and Thailand. The export turnover of Vietnamese fruits and vegetable to China topped the list, reaching $2.2 billion in the six-month period, up 33% year-on-year.

South Korea is the second biggest market with export revenue of $180 million, surging 57.9% compared to the same period last year.

Exports to the US earned nearly $150 million, a year-on-year growth of 32.4%.

The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association forecasted that fruit and vegetable export value is expected to reach $7-7.5 billion this year.