Despite spending USD 15.6 billion on fruit and vegetable imports, China continues to issue warnings about Vietnamese products and has rejected Thai shipments for violating sulfur dioxide residue limits.

Vietnam ranks as China's third-largest fruit supplier

According to Vietnam's General Department of Customs, fruit and vegetable exports to China reached USD 678.3 million in August 2025, up 40.8% from July and 15% year-on-year.

By the end of August, China remained Vietnam's largest export market for fruit and vegetables, generating nearly USD 2.8 billion and accounting for 57.9% of the sector’s total export revenue.

China, one of the world's biggest consumers of fruit and vegetables, spent USD 15.6 billion on these imports during the first seven months of 2025, a 2% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Thailand, Chile, and Vietnam are currently the top three fruit suppliers to China.

Thailand leads with USD 5.5 billion in exports, commanding 35.1% of China's imported fruit market share, up from 32.3% a year earlier. Chile follows with USD 3 billion, though its market share dropped by 2.81 percentage points to 19.1%.

Vietnam ranks third, with USD 2.3 billion in fruit and vegetable exports to China in the first seven months of 2025, gaining a 14.9% market share, slightly up from 14.5% during the same period in 2024.

China enforces new fruit import standards

While China has been increasing imports and expanding access to new suppliers, such as durians from Cambodia, fresh coconuts from Malaysia, bananas from Colombia, and mangoes from Ecuador, it has also intensified quality control and food safety measures.

Notably, since late July 2025, China's border inspection stations have begun implementing new standards for imported fruit.

In late August 2025, more than 10 containers of Thai longans were returned due to sulfur dioxide residues exceeding 50 ppm. This led Thai processing facilities to suspend purchases and cancel future contracts with orchards. Export prices at large orchards dropped by 30% from early July to just 20–22 Baht/kg, while smaller growers saw prices fall to 10–13 Baht/kg.

China had previously issued multiple warnings and suspended Thai exporters who failed to comply. Under the updated food additive regulations, sulfur dioxide residues in surface-treated fresh fruit must not exceed 50 ppm.

A report by the Vietnam Trade Office in China confirms that Beijing is stepping up inspections of agricultural and seafood imports, with particular scrutiny on high-risk products such as durians. Several Vietnamese shipments have already been flagged.

China has continuously refined its regulatory framework on import-export food safety through Decrees 248 and 249, and has developed national standards to ensure the quality of imported goods. Enforcement actions now include on-site inspections of foreign food processing facilities, especially those with a history of violations.

Penalties for non-compliance may include import suspension and revocation of registration codes.

Vietnamese exporters urged to raise standards

To maintain its market share in China, the Vietnam Trade Office advises exporters to improve product quality and strictly comply with Chinese standards on packaging, labeling, and traceability. This requires full-chain oversight, from cultivation and processing to storage and shipping, ensuring traceability at every stage.

Additionally, businesses are encouraged to promote trade and expand deeper into China's northern and northwestern provinces, which feature higher living standards and strong demand for premium tropical fruit - a key opportunity for Vietnamese exporters.

Tam An