Project's success is evident, yet encounters growing challenges in its development

In the vibrant world of agricultural exports, Vietnam's passion fruit industry is making a significant mark. With an impressive export value of US$172 million in 2024, the industry is showing no signs of slowing down. The first five months of 2025 have seen an estimated $100 million in exports, representing a 14.5% increase over the same period last year.

At the heart of this success is the Mekong Fruit Export Joint Stock Company (Mekong Fruit), a key player in the industry. However, the industry's growth is not solely due to individual efforts. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has invested in research projects aimed at boosting passion fruit yields and quality, with the ambitious goal of making passion fruit a billion-dollar export fruit.

However, the passion fruit industry in Vietnam faces challenges. Fragmented value chains, unstable markets, and unsustainable practices are common hurdles. To address these issues, key stakeholders are advocating for cultivation zone planning, stronger information sharing, and improved collaboration among enterprises, cooperatives, and farmers.

Phùng Đức Tiên, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has emphasised the importance of cultivation zone planning in stabilising production and encouraging farmers. Hoàng Văn Hông, a prominent figure in the industry, has stressed the need for large-scale farming, adherence to technical standards, and registration of growing area codes to meet importers' food safety requirements.

Nafoods Group and the National Agricultural Extension Centre have identified weak collaboration between enterprises, cooperatives, and farmers as a significant issue. They recommend developing the technical processes under VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards and improving linkages among related parties to establish a standardized value chain.

Post-harvest handling and processing technologies in the passion fruit industry remain limited. Expanding growing area codes and packaging facility codes, especially in the Central Highlands provinces, is crucial for the sustainable development of the industry.

The Central Highlands region contributes 85% of the total passion fruit cultivation area and 90% of the national output. Prioritising the research, production, and supply of high-yield, good-quality, and disease-resistant passion fruit varieties is essential for the industry's growth.

Vietnam is among the top 10 passion fruit producers and exporters in the world, with about 70-80% of its output exported to more than 20 countries and territories. Despite the challenges, the future looks bright for this promising industry. Along with pineapple and banana, passion fruit is expected to be among the fruits most likely to reach a billion-dollar export revenue in the near future.

However, success is not without its pitfalls. Many farmers fail to maintain proper field diaries and apply fertilisers or pesticides without adhering to technical guidelines, compromising quality and sustainability. Farmers often face challenges in accessing disease-resistant varieties and effective disease-control methods. These issues underscore the need for greater accountability and stronger linkages among all stakeholders in the passion fruit value chain.

As the passion fruit industry continues to grow, it is clear that collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability will be key to its success. With the right strategies in place, Vietnam's passion fruit industry is poised to reach new heights.

Project's success is evident, yet encounters growing challenges in its development