Sales totaled 1.4 billion dollars, the Ministry stated and indicated that the shipments to China have recently shown signs of decline, although in the case of bananas, they registered a remarkable growth.

From January to May, China imported 742,000 tons of bananas, an increase of 10 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. Bananas from Vietnam accounted for 43 percent of the market share, surpassing the Philippines with 28 percent.

China is likely to eliminate the Zero Covid-19 policy (detection and eradication of contagions in the community) between late 2022 and early 2023, so fruit and vegetable exports particularly and agricultural products in general will still face difficulties, the ministry warned.

The ministry itself suggested exporters of the sector to proactively tap new markets, increase sales to European Union partners, Japan and the United States, and be prepared to respond to the increased Chinese demand when it comes, VNA news agency noted.

pgh/iff/jf/mpm