In the first 11 months of 2025, exports of cassava leaves, bay leaves, and bamboo leaves reached US$11.8 million, an increase of 13.6% compared to the same period last year.

According to the Import-Export Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade , 2025 marks a significant milestone for Viet Nam's fruit and vegetable industry as export turnover reaches a record high.

According to data from the Customs Department, cited by the Import-Export Department, from the beginning of the year to December 15, 2025, Viet Nam's fruit and vegetable exports reached over 8.16 billion USD, an increase of 19.2% compared to the same period in 2024.

"This result affirms Viet Nam's increasingly prominent role in the global supply chain of tropical fruits and vegetables, with the main growth driver coming from durian and the expansion of exports to major markets such as China, the US, and Malaysia," the Import-Export Department assessed.

Of these, China continues to be the key market, dominating the growth trend of the entire industry.

In the first 11 months of 2025, the export value of most Vietnamese fruits and vegetables increased compared to the same period in 2024, with the exception of dragon fruit, jackfruit, and longan. Exports of many items (including fresh, frozen, and processed fruits) recorded double- to triple-digit growth, indicating a trend towards expanding and diversifying the export product structure.

Outstanding growth items include durian, coconut, mango, pistachios, passion fruit, almonds, pineapple, lychee, longan, chili peppers, and lemons, reflecting efforts to reduce dependence on traditional commodities and better exploit high value-added segments.

Notably, some export items performed impressively. According to estimates from the Customs Department, in the first 11 months of the year, Viet Nam's vegetable exports reached approximately US$381 million, an increase of 13.9% compared to the same period last year. Most notably, chili exports reached US$102 million, an increase of 20.1%, accounting for 1.31% of the total vegetable export value.

Besides chili peppers, Viet Nam also exports various types of leaves, with export revenue reaching $11.8 million in the first 11 months, a 13.6% increase compared to the same period last year.

Unexpectedly high leaf export figures.

Of these, cassava leaves, bay leaves, and bamboo leaves accounted for 13.6% of the total export value of fruits and vegetables. Specifically, in the first 11 months of 2025, the export value of cassava leaves reached US$3.5 million, an increase of 7.4%; exports of bay leaves reached nearly US$1.4 million, an increase of 9%; and bamboo leaves reached US$1.3 million, an increase of 18.7% compared to the same period last year.

According to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Viet Nam Vegetable and Fruit Association, leafy vegetables are a niche market, mainly exported to the Middle East, serving as ingredients in specialty dishes there such as curry.

Exporting businesses need Halal certification, a standard for Muslim markets. Cassava leaves and bay leaves are usually exported in dried form.

In addition, there are several types of leaves such as banana leaves and dong leaves, which are exported fresh or frozen for wrapping cakes, serving the Vietnamese community in other countries.

Source: Laborer News