In the first three quarters of 2025, Vietnam exported fruits and vegetables worth US$4.06 billion to China, a 19 per cent increase from the previous year. The growth was driven mainly by durian and banana shipments.
According to data from Chinese customs, Vietnam's exports accounted for 20 per cent of China's total fruit and vegetable imports, up from 17.9 per cent a year earlier. Durian was the leading export, with shipments valued at US$2.3 billion. The average export price per ton was US$3,696, about 14 to 15 per cent lower than that of Thai durian. This positioned Vietnam as China's second-largest supplier of durian after Thailand.
Bananas followed as the next major product, with exports worth US$232 million, an increase of 16 per cent year on year. The average price was US$409 per ton, lower than the US$589 per ton from the Philippines and US$757 from Ecuador. Vietnamese bananas have gained popularity in China's border provinces such as Guangxi and Guangdong, where buyers focus on freshness and affordability.
China's total fruit and vegetable imports in the first nine months of 2025 amounted to nearly US$20.3 billion. Thailand remained the top supplier, exporting US$6.7 billion worth of produce to China, a 10 per cent increase from the previous year, giving it a 33 per cent share of the market.
According to Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruits & Vegetables Association, Vietnamese exporters benefit from proximity to China, which helps reduce transportation time and costs. A representative from a durian exporter in Can Tho added that this advantage allows them to maintain product freshness and cut shipping costs by half compared to Thai exporters.
Free trade agreements such as ASEAN-China and RCEP, along with bilateral quarantine protocols, have also supported exports. To meet China's import standards, many Vietnamese companies have upgraded orchards, packaging lines, and cold storage systems this year.
While durians make up more than half of Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports to China, industry analysts have cautioned against dependence on a single product. To sustain growth and improve market share, they recommend diversifying exports, investing in storage technology, and maintaining quality standards.
Source: Retail News Asia
