With a population of 1.46 billion, in 2021 China spent $13.4 billion to import fruits. Of this, fresh durian imports alone were worth $4.21 billion. 

Vietnam’s farm produce such as durian, passion fruit, sweet potato and banana are increasingly favored by Chinese consumers. China’s demand for fruit is also on the rise, which gives Vietnam’s fruits more opportunities. 

After Vietnam and China signed a protocol on full-tax exports of durian, passion fruit, sweet potato and bananas, the prices of these products increased by several times. 

Export turnover of these products has also surged. Durian exports, for example, increased by 294 percent in October 2022 year on year, while that of bananas was more than 47 percent.

Bob Wang, chair of Nan Ning Business Association, said at a meeting on December 10 that China’s demand for fruit is high. From now until Lunar New Year (Tet), the association will import 1,500 containers of durian from Vietnam.

According to Tra My, chair of the Vietnam Business Association in China, the two sides are working on the issue. 

“They (China) import 100,000 tons of Thai durian each year. After negotiations, China decided to import 10,000 tons of durian from Vietnam,” she said, adding that localities and Vietnam business associations can contact her association for details.

Dinh Gia Nghia, deputy CEO of Dong Giao Food Export JSC, said that in the time to come, when China can control Covid-19 and open its market again, its demand for vegetables and fruits will be high and Vietnam should grasp this opportunity.

He said Vietnam should promote exports of frozen durian to China as the export value is very high. 

Frozen durian prices may reach $13,000-15,000 per ton. However, Nghia warned that China is no longer an easy-to-please market. 

Phan Thi Thu Hien from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) said China sets very strict requirements on growing areas and packaging units and it has also warned of its measures to deal with violations.

Tam An