It accounted for a 20% share of China’s fruit and vegetable imports,up from 17.9% a year ago, according to Chinese customs data.

Durian remained the main export item with shipments worth $2.3 billion. The average export price was $3,696 per ton, 14-15% lower than that of Thai durian.

Vietnam is the second largest exporter of the fruit to China, behind only Thailand.

Banana was another major export, with shipments amounting to $232 million, up 16% year-on-year.

At $409 per ton on average, it was much cheaper than products from the Philippines and Ecuador, which cost $589 and $757.

This makes Vietnamese bananas popular with Chinese importers, especially in provinces near the border such as Guangxi and Guangdong, where consumers prefer fresh and affordable products of good quality.

China’s imports of fruits and vegetables were worth nearly $20.3 billion in the first nine months.

Thailand was the biggest supplier, accounting for $6.7 billion, up 10% year-on-year and with a 33% market share.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruits & Vegetables Association, said exporters benefit from proximity to China, which results in lower transportation time and costs.

A representative of an exporter in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, a major durian producer, said this helps maintain fruit freshness and quality and keep shipping costs at half of what their Thai counterparts spend.

Free trade agreements such as ASEAN-China, RCEP and bilateral quarantine protocols also facilitate exports.

This year many Vietnamese businesses have upgraded their orchards and packaging lines and invested in cold storage to meet China’s stricter import requirements.

Durian accounts for more than half of Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports to China, but experts caution against relying too heavily on a single product.

To increase its market share in China, Vietnam needs to diversify its products, improve storage technology and keep up with quality standards, they said.

Source: VnExpress