Vietnam and China have officially signed a plant quarantine protocol, allowing the formal export of passion fruit to the Chinese market. After nearly a decade of negotiations and two years of pilot programs, this marks a major milestone in helping Vietnamese fruits expand their market access in a more sustainable and transparent way.

A Long Journey to Market Access

Since 2016, Vietnam has been negotiating with China to export passion fruit. After pest risk analyses and technical requirement alignments, Vietnam was allowed to pilot export passion fruit to China starting in July 2022.

However, it wasn't until April 2025 that a formal protocol was signed between the two countries, enabling large-scale, official exports. This signifies China’s recognition of Vietnam’s capabilities in quality control, safety, and pest management for this high-value agricultural product.

Stricter Quarantine Regulations

To export to China, Vietnamese passion fruit growing regions and packing facilities must register with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and gain approval from Chinese authorities.

Growing areas must implement safe farming practices and closely monitor pest control in line with IPM (Integrated Pest Management) guidelines, including pest surveillance, trap usage, and complete record-keeping. If any quarantine pests of concern to China are detected, immediate treatment and reporting are required.

Packing facilities must meet high standards, including separate and clean areas with strict sorting and cleaning procedures. Packaging must be unused, clean, and clearly labeled in Chinese or English, including product name, origin, and the codes for the production area and packing facility.

Rigorous Inspections in the First Year

During the first year, China will inspect 2% of all passion fruit shipments. If no violations are found, the rate may drop to 1% in subsequent years. On the other hand, shipments contaminated with live pests, soil, or leaves may be rejected, and the exporting company could be suspended.

All shipments must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by Vietnamese authorities, clearly stating the origin codes for traceability and accountability across the entire supply chain.

Chain-Based Production: A Necessary Trend

Currently, passion fruit is cultivated on over 12,000 hectares in Vietnam, mainly in the Central Highlands and northern mountainous provinces. With high yields, ease of cultivation, and good export value, many localities are expanding passion fruit acreage.

However, to meet China's strict requirements and those of other high-demand markets, closed-loop value chain production is essential. Exporters must work closely with farmers from seed selection and planting to harvesting and processing. Quality control at both input and output stages must be strictly enforced.

Vietnam is currently growing two main varieties of passion fruit—yellow and purple—which are well-suited to international tastes, especially among Chinese consumers who favor sweet-and-sour fruits with distinctive aromas.

Opportunities from a Billion-Consumer Market

China is the largest agricultural import market in Asia, with growing demand for tropical fruits. Passion fruit is particularly popular due to its unique flavor and high nutritional value.

According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, with the new official export status, Vietnam’s passion fruit export volume to China could double soon. In 2024, Vietnam earned approximately $44.3 million from passion fruit exports. This number is expected to surge from 2025 onward as businesses capitalize on the new protocol.

Vietnam is currently among the world’s top passion fruit exporters, alongside Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Thanks to favorable natural conditions, an abundant labor force, and geographic proximity to China, Vietnamese passion fruit has strong competitive potential.

What Should Businesses Do to Seize the Opportunity?

First and foremost, exporters should proactively collaborate with farmers to establish standardized raw material areas. Contract-based production helps ensure quality control from the outset and guarantees traceable origin.

Next, investing in internationally certified packing facilities is essential. This includes cleaning, sorting, preservation equipment, and cold storage systems. These investments not only support exports to China but also open doors to other demanding markets like the EU, South Korea, and Japan.

Finally, digitization and traceability technologies are a must. Tools like QR codes, blockchain, or production monitoring software will enhance supply chain transparency, meeting the requirements of both regulators and consumers.