New official quota to boost banana export to China

The protocol requires Vietnam to export bananas to China within 10-16 weeks after flowering, complete with origin traceability.

The bananas must meet disease control requirements in the protocol and must be grown in an area approved by both Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and China Customs.

Within the first two years of the protocol being effective, Vietnam’s agriculture must take 2% of the exports to test for diseases. If no violation is found, the ratio will be reduced to 1% onward.

So far, 11 Vietnamese fruits have been exported to China via official quota, including dragon fruit, watermelons, lychees, mangoes and bananas.

Bananas in recent years have become a major export fruit to China behind dragon fruit and mangoes.

Vietnam is discussing the possibility of exporting yams and grapefruit officially to China.

Exporting via official quota requires contracts signed before delivery and higher quality standards than via unofficial quota where sellers meet buyers at a market near the border.