Vietnam signs export protocols for chili, passion fruit, bird’s nest with China

The signed protocols include those on phytosanitary requirements for chili and passion fruit exported from Vietnam to China, one on animal and plant safety and quarantine for rice bran and defatted rice bran used as animal feed materials exported from Vietnam to China, and one on veterinary hygiene, inspection, and quarantine requirements for raw and processed bird’s nests shipped from Vietnam to China.

In addition to these products, China is actively working to license the import of other Vietnamese agricultural products, such as citrus fruits and traditional herbal medicine derived from plants. 

Vietnam, in turn, will accelerate the import of sturgeon from China.

Vietnamese passion fruit and chili have been piloted for export to China under protocols since 2022.

Vietnam currently has more than 12,000 hectares of passion fruit, with an annual output of 200,000 metric tons, mainly in the northern mountainous and Central Highlands regions.

According to the Plant Production and Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam has a relatively diverse passion fruit gene pool. With intensive farming, passion fruit can be harvested three times a year.

Vietnamese passion fruit has been exported to 22 countries and territories, including the European Union and Australia, and is currently undergoing negotiations for market access to the U.S. in 2025.

Chili is primarily grown in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, Central Highlands, south-central regions.

According to the Vietnam Pepper and Spices Association, Vietnam exported 10,433 metric tons of chili, generating US$25.1 million in export revenue in 2024. 

Compared to 2023, the export volume inched up 2.6 percent, while the export value saw a significant rise of 26 percent.

China was the largest export market for Vietnamese chili in 2024, accounting for 75 percent of its total exports, with 7,811 metric tons shipped.

To date, Vietnam and China have signed 24 memoranda of understanding and export protocols for agro-forestry-fishery products.

In 2024 alone, the two countries signed four export protocols covering frozen durians, crocodiles, monkeys, and fresh coconuts.

To date, 16 types of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables have been exported to China via official channels, including 10 items with signed export protocols: watermelon, mangosteen, black jelly, durian, frozen durian, fresh coconut, fresh banana, sweet potato, chili, and passion fruit.

Six export items have not yet been formalized through export protocols, consisting of dragon fruit, rambutan, mango, lychee, longan, and jackfruit.

In 2024, China spent some $4.6 billion on fruit and vegetable imports from Vietnam.

Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Vietnam on Monday and Tuesday.

The visit also coincided with the 75th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties and the Vietnam-China Year of People-to-People Exchange.

During the visit, Xi held talks and meetings with Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

As part of the visit, ministries, departments, and localities from both countries signed 45 cooperation agreements covering a wide range of areas.