Vietnam and China have long been critical economic partners, and their trade relationship has continued to deepen, marking significant growth potential, particularly in the food sector.
As China has been Vietnam’s largest trading partner and Vietnam has held the distinction of being China’s top partner in ASEAN, their economic collaboration offered substantial opportunities for Vietnamese food exhibitors looking to expand in one of the world’s most lucrative food markets.
As of 2024, the bilateral trade between Vietnam and China reached 1.6737 trillion RMB in the first 11 months, reflecting a 15.3 percent increase year-on-year. This growth trend is expected to continue, with projections showing that the trade volume may reach a record 200 billion USD by the end of the year.
China is currently Vietnam's largest fruit and vegetable export market, accounting for 65.2 percent of the country’s total exports in this category. Additionally, Vietnam's seafood exports to China totalled 1.4 billion USD by November 2024, a 23.2 percent increase from the previous year.
These figures indicated China’s increasing demand for high-quality, fresh food products from its neighbour, offering a substantial opportunity for Vietnamese food companies to penetrate the Chinese market further.
The potential has been further amplified by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, offering preferential trade terms that have made it easier for Vietnamese food products to enter the Chinese market with fewer barriers.
Vietnamese exports have been steadily increasing, particularly in categories such as seafood, grains, fruits, and ready-to-eat products. It also became a key supplier of spices like pepper and lemongrass, while the country's bird’s nest and ready-to-eat products, such as instant noodles and pho, are gaining strong demand in China’s market.
Its coffee exports, particularly Robusta, have thrived in China, where demand for coffee has continued to rise as the market for premium beverages grows.
China’s booming e-commerce platforms, such as Alibaba, allowed Vietnamese food brands to reach Chinese consumers directly, capitalising on the growing middle class and their increasing appetite for high-quality international food products.
The growing demand for Vietnamese food products has also been evident at international trade shows, such as SIAL Shanghai. Vietnam Pavilion has become a focal point for showcasing the country’s rich culinary traditions, emphasising health-conscious and sustainable food products.
Looking ahead to SIAL Shanghai 2025, the Vietnam Pavilion will return, showcasing even more health-focused, premium, and diverse food products in response to the growing global demand for healthy eating.
