Vietnamese fruits are becoming increasingly popular in Lunar New Year gift baskets in China, thanks to their high quality, clear origin, and developed logistics system.

The Chinese Lunar New Year market is seeing a surge in demand for imported fresh fruit from ASEAN countries, with Vietnamese fruit becoming increasingly popular and appearing more frequently in Lunar New Year gift baskets and family consumption.

At the ASEAN wholesale fruit market in Pingxiang City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the atmosphere of buying and selling is bustling in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year). Besides Thai durian, many Vietnamese fruits such as dragon fruit, pineapple, jackfruit, bananas, and mangoes are prominently displayed. Traders say that customers are increasingly interested in the origin, freshness, and distinctive flavor of Vietnamese fruits.

In recent years, high-quality fresh fruit from ASEAN has gradually become a popular choice in Chinese consumers' Lunar New Year shopping baskets. The development of e-commerce and livestreaming sales continues to boost the consumption of ASEAN fruits, including many Vietnamese products, in this market.

According to data from the Fruit Sub-Association of the China Association of Food, Livestock Products and Import & Export, China's total fruit trade volume is projected to reach US$25.2 billion in 2025, with both imports and exports showing growth. Imports alone are expected to reach US$18.94 billion, totaling 9.032 million tons, representing increases of 6.7% and 17.5% respectively. Of this, fresh durian imports are projected to reach US$7.49 billion, a 7.1% increase, with Thailand and Viet Nam being the two main suppliers.

The surge in consumer demand during the Lunar New Year has boosted logistics activity in the China-Viet Nam border region. In Pingxiang and Ningming (Guangxi), trucks carrying durian, mangosteen, and many other fresh ASEAN fruits, including Vietnamese fruits, are continuously clearing customs via "fast lanes," quickly distributing them to Lunar New Year markets throughout China.

Besides land routes, Qinzhou Port, the international gateway of China's Western Sea-Land Corridor, now has 44 transport routes connecting ASEAN, covering major ports in Thailand, Viet Nam, and Malaysia in key fruit-growing regions. The intermodal rail and sea transport system has operated more than 10,000 trips, connecting 72 cities in 18 provinces, forming an efficient logistics corridor for bringing ASEAN agricultural products into China.

Business experts predict that, with continued consumer demand during the Lunar New Year and an increasingly sophisticated logistics system, Vietnamese and ASEAN fruits will continue to maintain their appeal in the Chinese market, not only during peak season but also in daily consumption.

Source: VTV