Coconut remains the standout performer in Vietnam’s fruit and agricultural exports in 2025, with export value projected to surpass US$1 billion for the second consecutive year. Expanding markets Vietnam cultivates approximately 200,000 hectares of coconuts, with around 40% concentrated in the former Ben Tre Province — the heart of the country’s coconut industry. Annual production reaches about 20 million coconuts, fueling a robust export market that includes both fresh and processed products. The most common exports are fresh coconuts, frozen coconut juice, and crude coconut oil. In addition, Vietnam exports a diverse range of coconut-based goods such as foodstuffs, cosmetics, handicrafts, and other by-products. The U.S. has surpassed China to become Vietnam’s largest coconut export market. Vietnam has also overtaken Thailand as the largest coconut supplier for the states. It took years for Vietnamese coconuts to enter the U.S. market. Around ten years ago, Nguyen Dinh Tung, chairman and CEO of Vina T&T, visited the United States on a business trip. After tasting a Thai coconut there, he was struck by a question: why weren’t Vietnamese coconuts—known for their sweetness, fragrance, and competitive pricing—available in the U.S.? Motivated by this realization, his company began exporting green coconuts from Ben Tre, […]