The demand for pomelo in China is quite high, leading to a sharp increase in imports, exceeding 100,000 tons, but almost none of that comes from Viet Nam.

According to the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), in 2025, China's grapefruit imports are expected to increase sharply in both quantity and value. Specifically, in the first 11 months of 2025, China will import nearly 110,000 tons of grapefruit with a value of 114 million USD, an increase of 24% in quantity and 20% in value compared to the same period in 2024.

In addition, Laos surpassed South Africa to become the largest supplier of pomelo to the Chinese market with 47,000 tons, worth $45 million, an increase of 72% in volume and 60% in value compared to the same period in 2024, accounting for more than 42% of imported pomelo.

Following Laos are South Africa with 35,000 tons, accounting for 32%; Thailand with nearly 23,000 tons, accounting for 21%; Egypt with 4,000 tons, accounting for over 3%...

China's strong imports of pomelos from Laos demonstrate the increasingly prominent role of neighboring markets in the fruit supply chain for China in general, and pomelos in particular. Compared to distant markets, neighboring markets have advantages in terms of geographical proximity, lower logistics costs, and flexible delivery capabilities.

The Import-Export Department believes that the breakthrough of Lao pomelos in the Chinese market poses both a competitive challenge and opens up positive market opportunities for Vietnamese pomelos. With the signing of the protocol allowing the official export of Vietnamese pomelos to China, Vietnamese pomelos will have many opportunities to enter the market and gradually expand their market share in the future.

Pomelo is currently one of Viet Nam's key export fruits and is experiencing positive growth. According to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Viet Nam Fruit and Vegetable Association, in the first 11 months of 2025, pomelo exports reached nearly 67 million USD, an increase of over 29% compared to the same period in 2024.

Source: Viet Nam Agriculture