Currently, the value of Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports to Singapore is not commensurate with its potential. The market share of Singapore's vegetable imports is still dominated by Malaysia with about 42%, followed by China with 27%, Australia at 8% and other countries at 27%. The market share of Singapore’s fruit imports mainly from Malaysia (40%), China (13%), South Africa (85) and from other countries (39%). The total value of Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports to Singapore reached $38 million USD in 2021 and $9.9 million USD in the first quarter of 2022 (decreased 0.2% over the same period in 2021).

Currently, the value of Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports to Singapore is not commensurate with its potential. The market share of Singapore's vegetable imports is still dominated by Malaysia with about 42%, followed by China with 27%, Australia at 8% and other countries at 27%. The market share of Singapore’s fruit imports mainly from Malaysia (40%), China (13%), South Africa (85) and from other countries (39%). The total value of Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports to Singapore reached $38 million USD in 2021 and $9.9 million USD in the first quarter of 2022 (decreased 0.2% over the same period in 2021).

Top 5 imported of Vietnamese fruits into Singapore are dragon fruit, seedless lemon, yellow lemon, banana and sapodilla. Top 5 of vegetables are Japanese sweet potato, long pepper, bell pepper, hot pepper and radish. Most recently, lychee was on the shelves of FairPrice of Singapore.

Vietnamese enterprises have to face many barriers to enter and gain a market share in Singapore. Products that can be imported into Singapore are subject to strict quality control, especially in terms of food safety and hygiene standards. There is no brand name, or it does not meet the requirements of standards and certifications (HACCP, Global Gap, Organic), therefore Vietnamese fruits and vegetables are difficult to enter Singapore.

Vietnamese’s export products also similarities with others in the region, therefore it is difficult to compete on price (Malaysia has the advantage of geographical distance); also, difficult to compete in product information (Thailand, India, Philippines have advantages in language, so it is easy to persuade and introduce products). In addition, Vietnamese manufacturers lack of experience in international payments. And also, website construction work; products’ information and promotion in English and trade promotion activities have not been focused therefore it is difficult to succeed in conquering foreign markets.

In addition, Singapore importers is anxious about the stability of supply and the reputation of Vietnamese enterprises. Many businesses want to choose Vietnamese enterprises but there are still hesitant about the quality and quantity of goods. The price issue is also a big limitation for fruit and vegetable businesses because the size of farms is not large enough or limited in production capacity that led to the difficulties to compete with Chinese products of the same type.

Finally, the core issue is product quality and safety. In order to promote the export of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables to the world, Vietnamese enterprises need to make in-depth investments in sustainable development and company value. Enterprises need to invest methodically from the beginning (cultivation process, use of pesticides) to the end of the production chain (traceability process, packaging, post-harvest preservation technology, transportation technology, cold storage, etc.).