Amid positive market signals, many fruit enterprises are accelerating raw material area linkages, upgrading production standards, and preparing for a new phase of competition in the Chinese market.

Capturing opportunities in the billion-consumer market

Exporting between eight and ten containers of dragon fruit to China and other Asian markets each week, Mr. Vo Huy Hoang, Director of Hoang Tho Fruit Company, said customers have continuously inquired about Vietnam’s green-skin pomelo products.

According to Mr. Hoang, demand in the Chinese market for Vietnamese pomelos and lemons is very strong, particularly for green-skin pomelos. In addition to high consumption levels, these fruits are considered daily-use products, making demand more stable compared to many seasonal fruits.

To prepare for market opportunities, the company has connected with multiple cooperatives in Dong Thap and Vinh Long provinces to develop raw material areas serving export activities.

“As soon as I heard the market had officially opened, I immediately traveled to Ho Chi Minh City to learn about the implementation process. My customers are requesting immediate shipments as soon as products become available,” Mr. Hoang said.

Similarly, Ms. Ngo Tuong Vy, Chief Executive Officer of Chanh Thu Group, stated that the company has been surveying the Chinese market for many years and believes Vietnamese pomelos have strong potential to penetrate the country’s retail systems.

According to Ms. Vy, although China also cultivates various pomelo varieties, Vietnamese green-skin pomelos are highly appreciated for their distinctive flavor. The company has directly worked with supermarket chains in China to prepare export plans once growing areas fully satisfy technical requirements.

“The most important factor is creating products that accurately meet market demand. If implemented systematically, this will become a stable output channel that encourages farmers to confidently invest and improve growing areas,” Ms. Vy stated.

From the perspective of industry associations, Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, commented that the opening of the Chinese market for pomelos and lemons would create additional growth opportunities for Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports at a time when many major markets are tightening technical standards.

According to Mr. Nguyen, China is a massive consumption market for citrus fruits. Although Vietnamese products face direct competition from Chinese domestic products as well as imports from Thailand, Egypt, and Türkiye, Vietnamese fruits still maintain advantages in flavor quality and logistics costs.

“The key issue is organizing production according to seasonal demand and avoiding direct competition with China’s harvest season. If Vietnam can effectively supply off-season products while maintaining stable quality control, Vietnamese pomelos and lemons still have strong potential to expand market share,” Mr. Nguyen assessed.

Upgrading growing area standards

Alongside opportunities to expand exports, official export approval for pomelos and lemons to China also places higher demands on production organization. Previously, many growing areas mainly relied on traders or small-scale exports. However, long-term market participation now requires a more professional and systematic approach.

Mr. Hoang Trung, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, stated that the industry’s current orientation is no longer focused on maximizing output volume but rather on improving quality, ensuring food safety, and fully complying with technical standards imposed by importing markets.

According to the Deputy Minister, signing the export protocol is only the initial step. More importantly, production systems must now be reorganized comprehensively, from raw material areas and growing area codes to packing facilities, pest control, and traceability systems.

“If we want sustainable exports, we must effectively manage growing area codes, control pests, maintain cultivation records, and monitor pesticide residues. These are mandatory conditions for Vietnamese fruits to access more international markets,” the Deputy Minister emphasized.

Beyond technical requirements, many export enterprises are also rapidly shifting toward green production models to adapt to evolving global consumption trends.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vina T&T Group, stated that the company has gradually transitioned toward renewable energy usage, electric vehicles, and encouraging supply chain partners to participate in emissions reduction efforts.

According to Mr. Tung, importing markets are no longer concerned solely with fruit quality but are also paying increasing attention to environmental standards, carbon emissions, and the sustainability of production chains. Therefore, upgrading growing area standards, developing traceability systems, and promoting green agriculture will become inevitable strategies if Vietnamese fruits are to strengthen competitiveness in the coming years.

Source: Bao Nong Nghiep va Moi truong