Fruits exports to China plunge

1 min readUpdated May 15, 2025Dec 18, 201911:14 PM

In this article (5)

Vietnam’s fruits exports to China in the first 11 months fell 13.7 percent year-on-year on the latter imposing more stringent conditions.

Among total fruit exports to China worth $2.08 billion, coconut export value fell 34.9 percent year-on-year, while that of watermelon dropped 24.6 percent, according to the Agricultural Products Processing and Development Department (Agrotrade).

The export value of other fruits like durian, dragon fruit and mangosteen also fell, the department said.

Tighter import restrictions by China, the largest buyer of Vietnamese fruits, took effect on May 1, and this has led to a drop in prices, Agrotrade said.

But thanks to rising exports to the U.S., South Korea and Japan, fruits exports in the first 11 months fell only 0.6 percent year-on-year to $3.5 billion, it added.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development estimates Vietnam’s exports of agriculture, forestry and seafood products this year at $41.3 billion this year, short of the $43 billion target.

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What this means

The significant decline in Vietnamese fruit exports to China, driven by new stringent import conditions effective May 1, highlights the inherent risk of over-reliance on a single market. While Panpuri focuses on China for expansion, this scenario shows a market capable of rapidly shifting dynamics. Despite a 0.6 percent overall drop in total fruit exports due to diversification into the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, the $2.08 billion shortfall from China is substantial. This situation pressures other Asian food and agricultural exporters to critically evaluate market concentration. Retailers should monitor commodity prices closely as Vietnamese producers, especially for durian and mangosteen, adjust strategies to offset China's reduced demand.

Rajiv Menon · Retail News Asia newsroom

Questions & Answers

What is the total value of Vietnam’s fruit exports to China during the first 11 months?

Vietnam's total fruit exports to China during this period were valued at $2.08 billion. This represents a 13.7 percent decrease compared to the previous year.

Which specific fruits experienced significant drops in export value to China?

Coconut exports to China fell by 34.9 percent year-on-year, while watermelon exports dropped by 24.6 percent. Durian, dragon fruit, and mangosteen also saw decreased export values.

What impact did China's tighter import restrictions have on fruit prices?

The tighter import restrictions imposed by China, which came into effect on May 1st, led to a drop in fruit prices. China is the largest buyer of Vietnamese fruits.

How did rising exports to other countries affect Vietnam's overall fruit export figures?

Despite the decline in exports to China, increased exports to the U.S., South Korea, and Japan meant overall fruit exports only fell by 0.6 percent year-on-year. The total value for the first 11 months was $3.5 billion.

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