A recent agreement has paved the way for Vietnamese pomelos and lemons to be exported to China. This phytosanitary requirements protocol was formalized between Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the General Administration of Customs of China. The agreement unfolded during a state visit to China by To Lam, who is the Party General Secretary and State President of Vietnam.
The newly agreed protocol stipulates that all areas cultivating and facilities packaging pomelos and lemons for export to China have to be registered with the Ministry of Agriculture. Furthermore, they must gain approval from both the Ministry and China’s customs. These facilities are mandated to enforce stringent pest control measures to ensure the quality of the produce.
The cultivation areas are required to adhere to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) requirements. These requirements demand fruit to be bagged at least 60 days prior to harvest and the use of traps to combat fruit flies.
The packaging facilities must maintain sanitary conditions and appropriate functional zoning. Fruits are required to be sorted, classified, and cleaned to remove any diseased or pest-infected fruits, as well as any plant debris and soil residues.
The Ministry has cited this agreement as the result of structured technical negotiations between plant protection and quarantine agencies of both nations. These discussions have been ongoing since 2019.
The agreement signifies an important shift towards transparent, standards-compliant official export channels and a more sophisticated bilateral cooperation framework, amidst growing Vietnam–China agricultural trade.
China continues to be a crucial market with strong demand and potential for Vietnamese fruit exports. Building on the success of other exports, pomelos and lemons are expected to increase their market share, consolidate their position, and boost overall export growth.
The ministry has expressed its commitment to working closely with localities, associations, businesses, and producers to effectively put the protocol into practice. This will include guidelines on regulations, standardizing cultivation areas and packaging facilities, and strengthening inspections to guarantee full compliance with Chinese requirements.
Pomelos and lemons are among Vietnam’s most successful agricultural products. Vietnam currently cultivates pomelos on approximately 106,000 hectares, positioning itself as a major global producer of the fruit.
What does the new protocol between Vietnam and China involve?
The protocol involves the export of Vietnamese pomelos and lemons to China. It stipulates that all cultivation areas and packaging facilities for these fruits must be registered with the Ministry of Agriculture and approved by both the Ministry and China’s customs.
What requirements must the Vietnamese farms and packaging facilities meet under the new protocol?
The farms must adhere to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) requirements, which includes bagging fruit 60 days before harvest and using traps for fruit flies. The packaging facilities must maintain cleanliness and appropriate functional zoning.
How will this protocol impact the Vietnam-China agricultural trade?
The protocol signifies a shift towards transparent, standards-compliant official export channels and provides a more sophisticated bilateral cooperation framework. It is expected to boost the market share of Vietnamese pomelos and lemons in China and strengthen the overall growth of fruit exports from Vietnam to China.
