Vietnam officially exports fresh bananas to China

The protocol consists of eight articles detailing specific contents that will be in force for five years. According to the regulations, fresh bananas exported from Vietnam to China must be unripe and should be harvested within 10 to 16 weeks after flowering.

To ship the fresh fruit to the Chinese market, producers and exporters must fully comply with regulations relating to phytosanitary, food safety, and traceability.

Shipments from growing areas or packaging facilities that have not yet registered to have codes from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will not be licensed by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

The growing area code is a necessary and mandatory condition in order to export fruits to China and is also one of the key factors relating to product traceability.

In the event that the Chinese side discovers infected consignments, it may refuse to import and destroy them, or apply phytosanitary treatment.

Moreover, China will refuse or destroy all imported fruits containing residue of pesticides or other toxic substances which exceed their health and safety standards.

At present, Vietnam boasts 11 kinds of fruits which are officially exported to China. Among these fruits, Vietnam has signed numerous Chinese protocols on phytosanitary requirements for four kinds - mangosteen, passion fruit, durian, and banana.