According to the Vietnam Customs Department, in the first 8 months of 2025, bananas ranked third among Vietnam’s exported fruits, with a value of 280 million USD. This is an increase of over 9% compared to the same period last year. In August 2025 alone, bananas brought in 23.5 million USD for Vietnam, an 18% increase compared to August 2024.
Bananas account for over 19% of Vietnam’s total fruit area, with about 155,000 hectares. It is the key crop of Dong Nai province, accounting for over 70% of the banana area in the Southeast region.
Currently, Vietnamese bananas are mainly exported as fresh fruit to China, South Korea, Japan, and some Middle Eastern countries.
Vietnam produces over 2 million tons of bananas per year.
According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT), there are three main reasons why Vietnamese bananas are competitive in many Asian regional markets, including Japan. First, the quality and prices are competitive compared to bananas in the region, including those from the Philippines. Second, Vietnam has a logistical advantage in transportation. Thirdly, Vietnamese bananas are resistant to Panama, a dangerous disease that threatens many banana-growing regions worldwide.
Japanese trade statistics show that in 2024, the country imported 33,000 tons of bananas from Vietnam, nearly 14 times more than in 2019. In July 2025 alone, the volume of Vietnamese bananas exported to Tokyo more than doubled compared to the same period last year. The import tax from Vietnam to this market, which is now at 5.4%, will gradually decrease to 0% by 2028 under the CPTPP Agreement. The agreement is promising to open opportunities for Vietnamese agricultural products in this demanding market.
Not only in Japan, but Vietnam’s banana exports to China are also growing well. Vietnamese bananas have surpassed Philippine bananas to achieve the largest market share in China’s banana imports. From the beginning of the year, Vietnamese bananas have captured nearly 50% of China’s import market share thanks to improved quality, appearance, and logistics advantages.
Bananas are one of the favorite fruits and a popular dessert among Chinese consumers. It is also an ingredient for many dishes, such as cakes or jams.
South Korea is an important destination. According to the VINAFRUIT, in June 2025, bananas were the fruit with the highest export value in this market, surpassing mangoes, dragon fruit, watermelons, and others.
In 2024, banana exports brought in 378 million USD for Vietnam, equivalent to about 2,400 USD/ha. Experts expect Vietnam’s banana industry to reach an export value of 4 billion USD in the near future, nearly 10 times higher than its current value.
Bananas are very nutritious, containing a lot of fiber, potassium, vitamins, and carbohydrates, making them an excellent natural energy source for the body.
In fact, bananas were considered the first “superfood” and confirmed by the American Medical Association in the early 20th century as a health food for children and for treating celiac disease. This fruit is called the “happy fruit” because it is nutrient-rich and reduces stress.