Vietnam's export of Vietnamese onions and garlic to China has experienced a remarkable surge, with an astonishing increase of 19.935% in 2022. Specifically, the export of onions, garlic, and chives to China generated revenue of $17.2 million, representing a significant surge of 19.935% compared to 2021. This information was provided by representatives of the Department of Quality, Processing, and Market Development during the "Connecting Trade, Promoting Consumption of Onions and Purple Onions" forum held on March 17th.
Increase in Exports of Onions and Garlic to China.
Statistical data reveals that in 2022, the export value of onions, garlic, and chives from Vietnam reached approximately $31.2 million, showing a substantial increase of nearly 360% compared to the previous year. The majority of these products were exported to Asian markets, accounting for over 90% of the total, followed by markets in the Americas, Europe, and Australia.
China as the Largest Importer of Vietnamese Onions and Garlic.
In terms of individual countries, China stands as the largest market for the import of Vietnamese onions, garlic, and chives, with a total import value of over $17.26 million in 2022 (excluding Taiwan, which added an additional $6.6 million). Compared to the import value of only $86,185 in 2021, the export of these products to China experienced a staggering increase of 19.935% in 2022.
Additionally, there has been a significant increase in the export of onions and garlic to other countries. Laos witnessed a 459% increase, while Germany saw a rise of 182.6%. The exports to the United Kingdom, Taiwan, and Malaysia also experienced substantial growth rates of 93.4%, 67.6%, and 53.8% respectively, compared to 2021.
Challenges and Opportunities for Onion and Garlic Producers
Despite the remarkable growth in exports, the onion production volume in 2023 is estimated to reach over 200,000 tons. However, statistics indicate that onion exports in the first two months of this year amounted to only 240 tons, a significantly small figure compared to the country's onion production capacity.
According to representatives from the Department of Quality, Processing, and Market Development (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), producers and exporters need to research consumer preferences and market regulations to guide production and processing of export products. In addition, organizing promotional activities is crucial to maintain traditional markets while expanding into new ones. Producers should also focus on value-added processing, product diversification, and strengthening linkages to establish value chains for the industry. They should proactively conduct market research, search for and access distribution channels both domestically and internationally.
The surge in Vietnam's exports of onions and garlic, particularly to China, has presented significant opportunities for the agricultural sector. The substantial increase in export value demonstrates the strong demand for Vietnamese onions and garlic in international markets. However, challenges such as limited onion export volumes and the need for market research and product.
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