Speaking to the press in China, Li Xiabing, Director of Product Selection, Supply Chain Division, Hebei Kinghey Catering Service Co., Ltd., said Vietnam’s agro-forestry exports to China reached US$1.3 billion in the first half of this year, up nearly 46.8% from a year earlier, underscoring the huge demand in the Chinese market.

He stressed that, to boost import–export cooperation, both sides should not only capitalize on Vietnam’s competitive advantages but also improve customs clearance at border gates, shorten processing times, and facilitate direct business-to-business connections. Faster clearance, he noted, would help ensure the freshness of agro-forestry–fishery products and enable swift circulation.

“The connection between Chinese and Vietnamese businesses is crucial. As one of China’s top 500 enterprises and a leader in the catering industry, we look forward to expanding cooperation with Vietnamese companies to bring Vietnam’s high-quality products to the Chinese market,” Li Xiabing said.

Among Vietnam’s agro-forestry exports, durian is now one of the most sought-after items. In China, it enjoys notable advantages such as short transit time for better freshness, lower logistics costs, and a year-round harvest season. Many Chinese companies believe Vietnamese durian is now directly competing with products from Thailand and Malaysia.

In recent years, Vietnamese durian has secured its foothold in the Chinese market, thanks not only to its distinctive flavor but also to consistent quality, stable supply, and competitive pricing. A representative of a durian trading company at Beijing’s Xin Fa Di market remarked, “Vietnamese durian is very popular with Chinese consumers. We hope this product will continue to gain a larger share of the Chinese market.”

Several recent Vietnam-China trade promotion events have placed durian in the spotlight, with agreements on quality standards, food safety, and traceability. These are seen as a solid foundation for Vietnamese durian to not only retain its current market share but also expand further in the billion-strong market.

With these advantages and China’s growing demand, Vietnamese durian is forecast to continue its success, making a significant contribution to the country’s agro-forestry export turnover.

Business networking event held to promote Vietnam - China agricultural trade ties

The Trade Office and the Embassy of Vietnam in China on August 5 organised a Vietnam–China agricultural trade promotion conference in Beijing to promote Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products, particularly tropical fruits and processed foods, to major Chinese buyers and retailers.