Abstract
Vegetable production in Vietnam involves the cultivation of a wide variety of crops that reflect the climate and soil conditions of each region. Cabbage in particular has the highest production volume at 1.17 million tonnes (Mt) in 2022, indicating high demand within the country. Cabbage is mainly grown in the northern and central parts of the country and plays an important role in the diet of consumers. Next are tomatoes, eggplants, pumpkins, lettuce, etc. Tomatoes can be broadly divided into those for processing and those for eating raw, depending on their intended use. In the production of processing tomatoes, particularly those used for condiments, ketchup, and juice, there is a demand for improved quality and yield. On the other hand, not only domestic consumption but also exports of tomatoes for fresh consumption are on the rise, making them more competitive in the market. Overall, Vietnam’s vegetable production not only needs to meet the demand for domestic consumption, but also to increase supply to the export market, making quality improvement and production efficiency key challenges. In the future, there will be an increasing need for production strategies that can flexibly respond to climate change and market trends.
Production (by vegetables)
The long-term trend in Vietnam’s vegetable production shows steady growth. From 1961 to 2022, there was a significant increase in production, especially of cabbage. Cabbage production in 2022 is expected to reach 1.17 million tonnes (Mt), which is the highest figure. Cabbage occupies an important position in agricultural production and is widely cultivated as a crop adapted to the northern and central climates. Looking back at historical data, cabbage production increased rapidly, reaching 100% at its peak. A notable feature so far has been that Vietnam’s vegetable production has diversified in line with urbanization and changes in dietary habits. While cabbage and other leafy vegetables remain the mainstream, production of other crops such as tomatoes, eggplants, and pumpkins is also increasing. The increase in production is due to growing demand from domestic consumption as well as increased supply for export markets. Technological innovation and improvements in agricultural infrastructure have also contributed to increased productivity. On the other hand, external factors such as climate change and market price fluctuations also affect production, and it is necessary to address these risks in order to build a sustainable production system for the future.


The maximum is the latest one, 34kt of Imports
By vegetable
The long-term trend in vegetable production in Vietnam has been a notable increase, especially in cabbage production. According to data from 1961 to 2022, cabbage production reached an all-time high of 1.17 million tonnes (Mt) in 2022. Cabbage production has increased rapidly during this period and is now at 100% of its peak level, which is considered sufficient to meet domestic demand as well as some export markets. This increase is due to improved agricultural techniques, expansion of cultivated areas, and rising demand due to changes in consumer eating habits. Cabbage, which is particularly suited to the climatic conditions of the northern and central regions, is widely used in home cooking and the food service industry, and demand is stable. Furthermore, as domestic consumption has increased, efforts have been made to improve quality and productivity. On the other hand, other vegetable crops are also produced, and especially tomatoes, eggplants and pumpkins are increasingly being cultivated in areas with suitable climates and soils. These crops are not only consumed for the domestic market but also supplied for export, reflecting the diversification of Vietnam’s agriculture.


The maximum is the latest one, 30.3t/ha of Cabbage
By vegetable
Data on Vietnam’s vegetable production in 2022 reveals that cabbage has the highest production volume, reaching 1.17 million tonnes (Mt). In comparison, the overall average production volume was 678 thousand tonnes (kt), with total production volume being 1.36 million tonnes. The reasons for cabbage’s outstanding production include the fact that it is a crop that is suited to the climate mainly in the north and central parts of the country, and stable domestic demand. Cabbage is a particularly important vegetable, widely consumed in home cooking and in the food service industry. Looking at past trends, we can see that Vietnam’s vegetable production has been steadily increasing, but the production volume of other vegetables, except for cabbage, has not shown much growth. This is thought to be due to limitations in climate and cultivation techniques, as well as diversifying demand. For example, tomatoes, eggplants, and pumpkins are also produced, but not yet on the same scale as cabbage. Additionally, in recent years, there has been an increased demand for export markets, which requires supply in excess of domestic demand. While improvements in agricultural technology, expansion of cultivation areas, and quality improvements have contributed to increased production, measures to address risks posed by external factors such as climate change have also become an issue. In the future, efforts aimed at sustainable agricultural production will become even more important.


The maximum is 34kt of Imports, the average is 25kt, and the total is 100kt
Tomato usage
According to data from 2014, Vietnam’s tomato production reached a peak of 34,000 tonnes (kt) in terms of imports, which remains at its peak today. This trend indicates that there is a certain dependency on imports for tomatoes relative to the demand for domestic production. Tomato consumption in Vietnam is widespread, both for fresh consumption and for processing, and demand is particularly high in urban areas, meaning that domestic production alone is not enough to meet demand. Up until now, the Vietnamese tomato market has been characterized by an increase in production volume, but there have been issues with quality stability and yield. Domestically, production of tomatoes for processing is increasing, with tomatoes being used in products such as ketchup, tomato sauce, and juice. However, differences in climatic conditions and soil conditions affect production areas, making it difficult to ensure a stable supply, and there is a continuing reliance on imports. In addition, since imported tomatoes are mainly of high quality and competitively priced, the price difference with domestically produced tomatoes is an important selection criterion for consumers. In the future, there will be a need to strengthen domestic production, improve quality, and introduce efficient cultivation methods. In order to support the growth of the tomato market, innovation in agricultural technology and efforts to reduce dependency on imports will be key issues.


The maximum is the latest one, 34kt of Imports
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