Vietnam and China Sign Protocol to Open Grapefruit and Lemon Exports

On April 15, during the state visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to China, Vietnam’s Plant Protection and Pest Management Department (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) announced that the protocol on phytosanitary requirements for grapefruit and lemon exports from Vietnam to China had been signed by Vietnamese authorities and China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC).

Protocol requirements for exports

The department said that, under the protocol, all production areas and packing facilities exporting lemons and grapefruits to China must be registered with Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and approved by both the ministry and GACC.

The protocol requires production areas and packing facilities to implement pest-control measures. Orchard areas must apply Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Fruits must be bagged at least 60 days before harvest, with fruit fly traps in place.

Packing facility standards

Packing facilities must have hard, clean floors and dedicated areas for processing, handling, storage, and other functions. The packaging process must include sorting and cleaning to remove diseased, infested, spoiled, or deformed fruit, as well as removing branches, leaves, plant residues, and soil.

Market context and expected effects

Grapefruit and lemon exports are described as among Vietnam’s high-potential agricultural products. The grapefruit orchard area is about 106,000 hectares, placing Vietnam among the world’s large producers, with multiple concentrated production zones.

China is identified as an important and growing market with substantial consumption. The department noted that past success in official exports supports the view that grapefruit and lemon exports have strong potential to expand market share.

The protocol is expected to promote formal, transparent trade aligned with international standards and reflect an evolving and improving bilateral cooperation framework.

Implementation and near-term benefits

In the near term, the department said the protocol will open export opportunities and help formalize the legal framework for export, boost market access, improve producer incomes, and increase the value added of the sector.

It will also drive standardization of production, pest control, and traceability in line with international trade requirements.

The two sides will continue working with local authorities, associations, enterprises, and farmers to implement the protocol, including training on its provisions, mapping and approving eligible growing areas and packing facilities, and strengthening inspections to ensure full compliance and build a stable, long-term market in China.