HCMC – Trade through Vietnam’s Lao Cai border gate has reached nearly US$135 million since the beginning of this year, with agricultural products accounting for the majority of exports, according to customs data.
The Lao Cai Border Gate Customs Branch reported that exports totaled US$50.6 million, while imports exceeded US$84 million, the Vietnam News Agency said.
Major exports included dragon fruit, watermelon, jackfruit, and bananas, while key imports consisted of flowers, ornamental plants, fresh vegetables, coke, and fertilizers.
On average, 390 trucks pass through the border daily, with 100 carrying exports and 290 transporting imports.
In January alone, authorities issued certificates of origin (C/O) for over 24,700 tons of goods valued at US$20 million. Certified exports primarily included dragon fruit, watermelon, jackfruit, bananas, cassava starch, and dried cassava slices.
Dragon fruit exports remain stable, with around 50 trucks crossing the border each day. Other agricultural products, such as rambutans, melons, and mangoes, have seen a slight uptick as the peak harvest season approaches.
However, high-value agricultural exports, particularly durian, have declined over 2024. On several days in early 2025, no durian shipments were recorded.
Authorities attributed this drop to stricter import regulations from China, which have increased costs for pesticide residue inspections. As a result, durian and jackfruit exports have edged lower than in previous months and the same period last year.
