RCEP promotes Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports, with exports of US$3.8 billion in 7 months

In 2023, China imported 1.426 million tons of fresh durian, predominantly from Thailand and Vietnam, and experienced growth in imports from South Korea and Japan, aided by tariff preferences and lower transportation costs within the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Vietnam has found success in exporting various agricultural products to China, including dragon fruit, mango, and lychee, with negotiations underway for fresh grapefruit and frozen durian. Thailand's exports of frozen durian to Vietnam have also grown, with the US following as the second-largest importer. The process of officially exporting frozen durian from Vietnam to China is under way, with expectations of taking up to 30% of the Chinese market share if successful.

Data from the General Administration of Customs of China show that in 2023, China imported a total of 1.426 million tons of fresh durian, of which 929,000 tons came from Thailand and 493,000 tons came from Vietnam. In addition to the Chinese market, South Korea and Japan also achieved breakthrough growth. These two countries are also members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Vietnamese companies will enjoy tariff preferences when exporting. Compared with distant markets such as the EU and the United States, transportation and logistics costs are lower, and the quality of fruits and vegetables is more guaranteed. Liang Yuguang of the International Cooperation and Media Department of the Vietnam Plant Protection Agency said that in the RCEP market, the number of agricultural products approved for export to China is the largest, totaling 12, followed by New Zealand with 5. Japan has approved the import of Vietnamese dragon fruit, mango, lychee and longan, and ...