China opens market to Vietnamese lemons and grapefruits

A protocol enabling the export of lemons and grapefruits to China was signed on the morning of April 15 during the state visit by General Secretary and President To Lam. In Beijing, the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) signed the agreement on plant-quarantine requirements for grapefruits and lemons exported from Vietnam.

Protocol details and compliance requirements

The Ministry said the signing follows technical negotiations dating back to 2019 between the two countries’ authorities. The protocol requires that cultivation areas and packing facilities exporting grapefruits and lemons be registered and approved by Vietnam and GACC.

Growing areas must apply good agricultural practices (GAP) and integrated pest management (IPM), including pest-control measures such as bagging fruit at least 60 days before harvest and placing fruit fly traps. Shipments must come from registered growing areas and packing facilities approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and GACC, and meet phytosanitary control requirements.

The production, harvesting, and packing processes must also ensure sorting, cleaning, and the removal of damaged fruit and foreign matter before export.

Market context and expected impact

Vietnam currently holds a significant advantage in these two crops, especially grapefruits, covering about 106,000 hectares. In recent years, production has expanded and quality has improved to meet market demand.

China is described as a large and stable market for fruit consumption. After several products have already achieved formal export, grapefruits and lemons are expected to gain market share soon, supported by supply and quality advantages.

The Ministry said the protocol is a step forward in bilateral agricultural cooperation and reflects a trend toward opening markets in a formal, transparent, and standards-compliant manner. It also noted that the agreement is expected to drive higher production standards, strengthen quality control, and enhance traceability for sustainable exports.

Implementation plans and industry view

In the coming period, the Ministry will work with local authorities and enterprises to implement the rules, improve growing areas and packing facilities, and ensure compliance with China’s requirements.

Nguyen Thanh Binh, chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said opening the Chinese market would raise the standing of Vietnamese grapefruits and position China as the product’s fifth destination market.

Trade figures and sector performance

For 2025, grapefruit exports are expected to reach about $70 million and continue rising as the market expands.

In the past year, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports reached over $8.56 billion, up nearly 20% from 2024. The Chinese market accounted for about $5.5 billion, or over 64% of total export value, and was a key driver of growth for the sector.

State visit timing and broader trade relationship

General Secretary and President To Lam and his wife are on a state visit to China from April 14–17, 2026, at the invitation of Chinese leader Xi Jinping and his wife. The visit follows To Lam’s assumption of his new position.

In 2025, China was Vietnam’s largest trading partner. Vietnam was China’s largest partner in ASEAN and the fourth-largest trading partner globally by country.