In late August, trade activities at Huu Nghi Border Gate in Guangxi, China were bustling as hundreds of containers carrying fresh fruits from Vietnam’s key production regions lined up for export clearance. Popular fruits such as durian, dragon fruit, jackfruit, mango, and passion fruit are increasingly welcomed by both Chinese consumers and businesses.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports reached an estimated US$ 3.92 billion in the first seven months of 2025, up 0.9% compared to the same period last year. China remains the largest import market, accounting for approximately 52.6% of Vietnam’s total fruit and vegetable exports, with durian leading in growth, followed by dragon fruit, jackfruit, watermelon, and bananas.

Quality and diversity are key factors driving the appeal of Vietnamese fruits in China. Vietnamese durian is praised for its rich flavor and competitive price. Dragon fruit, jackfruit, and mango have become familiar products in supermarkets and wholesale markets in Guangxi, Guangdong, Shanghai, and Beijing.

Kong Feng, a fruit importer at Huu Nghi Border Gate, said, “Vietnam is a tropical country perfectly suited for growing fruits like durian and mangosteen. These Vietnamese fruits have attractive appearance and sweet taste, highly favored by both general Chinese consumers and those in Guangxi. In addition, Vietnam shares a land border with China, facilitating fruit trade. Many Vietnamese fruit trucks are cleared through Huu Nghi Border Gate daily.”

Beyond fresh consumption, Chinese businesses have scaled up processing Vietnamese durian and mango. After import, fruits are transported to frozen processing plants in Pingxiang, Guangxi, just a few dozen kilometers from the border. There, they are segmented, vacuum-packed, or processed into confectionery, ice cream, and other value-added products.

Zhou Weifeng, CEO of Guangxi Zhongguo Fruit Industry Co., Ltd., said, “Our company mainly imports Vietnamese mango and durian. Mangoes are processed into dried mango, mango ice cream, and sauces, while durians are turned into frozen durian and durian pieces. Annually, we import around 200 containers of standard Vietnamese durian. Vietnam’s fruit-growing regions now meet high standards, ensuring quality for processing and sale in the Chinese market.”

Pingxiang is gradually becoming a hub for processing and redistributing Vietnamese fruit. Cold storage facilities and sorting/packing plants are increasingly developed, turning the city into a key gateway for deeper penetration into China’s domestic market and facilitating re-export to other markets.

China’s enthusiastic reception provides opportunities for Vietnam to enhance product value and branding.

Vietnamese fruits are experiencing growing popularity in the Chinese market, thus creating opportunities to enhance product value and branding.

Unlike previous small-scale exports, most Vietnamese fruits now have official export approval under bilateral protocols, enabling entry into major supermarkets, shopping centers, and retail chains.

With China’s population exceeding 1.4 billion and its enormous fruit consumption demand, Vietnam, with its geographic proximity, low transportation costs, and diverse harvest seasons, is well-positioned to remain a key supplier.

The success of Vietnamese durian, mango, dragon fruit, and jackfruit demonstrates the sector’s strong potential. From Huu Nghi Border Gate, loaded trucks continue rolling into China, carrying hopes for a sustainable and prosperous future for Vietnamese farmers and businesses.

Source: VOV