According to the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), Vietnam is the third largest mango supply market for Korea Republic, but imports from Vietnam only account for 5.8% of total mango imports.

There is still a lot of market space, which is an opportunity for mango exporters to boost exports to the Korean market in the near future. Along with that, the effective use of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that Vietnam has signed with Korea Republic also brings positive results.

Citing data from the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), the Import-Export Department said that Korea Republic's imports of mangoes (HS 08045020) in the first three months of 2023 reached 8,000 tons, worth USD 36.4 million, a decrease of 18% in volume and 19% in value over the same period in 2022. The average price of imported mangoes in the 3 months of 2023 reached USD 4,533.8/ton, decreased by 1.2% over the same period in 2022.

Currently, Peru is the largest mango supply market for Korea Republic in the first 3 months of 2023. The volume of mangoes imported from Peru accounts for 63.4% of the total amount of mangoes imported into Korea Republic, reaching 5.1 thousand tons, worth USD 25.7 million, a decrease of 14.8% in volume and a decrease of 18.1% in value over the same period in 2022.

Next, in second place is the Thai market with 2.3 thousand tons, worth USD 7.8 million, a decrease of 22% in volume and a decrease of 20.4% in value, accounting for 28.1%.

In particular, Korea Republic is considered the market that applies the most stringent regulations in Asia on conditions for imported agricultural products.

Also according to the Import-Export Department, the export value of Vietnam's vegetables and fruits in March 2023 reached USD 418 million, an increase of 22% compared to March 2022. Accumulated over the first 3 months of 2023, the export value of fruit and vegetables reached USD 982 million, an increase of 16.2% over the same period in 2022.

The positive growth of fruit and vegetable exports in the first three months of 2023 was due to the sharp increase in export value to the Chinese market. The export value to the Chinese market reached USD 576.4 million, an increase of 27.4% over the same period in 2022. China's high demand is due to the cold season in February and March, so the area of fruit trees for production is low, not enough for domestic supply.

The reopening after many years of applying the Zero Covid policy in China will boost Vietnam's fruit and vegetable industry to this market to grow positively in 2023.

However, China is gradually tightening the unofficial quota and switching to the official quota, the quality of imported fruits and vegetables is increasingly demanding. In order to export to this market, in addition to enhancing the quality of goods, businesses and growers must comply with and strictly control the code of the growing area, the packing facility.

Kylie Nguyen