Vietnam has become the second largest banana exporter to China, behind only the Philippines, accounting for 28.2% of the total amount of bananas imported by the market, the Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade has announced.

The department quoted statistics released by the General Administration of Customs China stating that the Asian country imported 1.46 million tons of bananas worth US$912.4 million during the first ten months of this year, down 7.1% in volume and down 10% in value compared to the same period last year. 

The average price of imported bananas reached US$623.2 per ton, marking a drop of 3.1% year on year.

Most notably, China increased banana imports from Vietnam but decreased the imports from the Philippines due to Vietnam's geographical location coupled with the rise of costs in the Chinese market.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the country's production of bananas averages about 2.1 million metric tons per year.

In a relevant move, on November 11, 2022, the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Chinese General Administration of Customs signed a protocol requiring phytosanitary procedures for fresh bananas exported into China as part of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong's official visit to China.

At present, Vietnam boasts 11 fruits licensed to enter the Chinese market. Among these fruits, the country has signed numerous Chinese protocols relating to phytosanitary requirements for four kinds - mangosteen, passion fruit, durian, and banana.