Vietnam outlines rules for pomelo and lime exports to China

Vietnam has held a conference in Ho Chi Minh City to explain the new protocol for fresh pomelo and fresh lime exports to China. The event, held on May 14, focused on plant quarantine requirements and technical rules that exporters, packing facilities and production areas must follow.

Under the protocol, all pomelo and lime growing areas and packing facilities that want to export to China must be registered with Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment through the Plant Production and Protection Department. They also need approval from China’s General Administration of Customs before they can take part in exports.

The rules require production areas to apply GAP or equivalent standards, use integrated pest management, monitor pests of concern to China and keep full production records. Fruit fly traps must also be used. For pomelo orchards, fruit bagging is compulsory and must be done at least 60 days before harvest.

The ministry also presented Decree 38/2026/ND-CP, which covers the import of plants with soil attached and the management of planting-area and packing-facility codes. These codes are important for traceability and export control.

The Plant Production and Protection Department will work with local authorities to inspect selected pomelo and lime growing areas and packing facilities. The checks will review production conditions, pest management, record-keeping and readiness to meet China’s technical requirements.

Pomelo and lime are described as fruit products with export potential for Vietnam. The department said Vietnam has about 106,000 hectares of pomelo, with potential output of more than 1 million tonnes. However, the crop is still mainly sold on the domestic market, and large, stable export flows have not yet been fully developed.

The protocol was signed by Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and China’s GACC in April, following technical negotiations that began in 2019. Vietnam and China have now signed more than 20 agreements and protocols covering agricultural, forestry and fishery exports, including formal export access for around 10 fruit categories.

source and photo: ppd.gov.vn