Lam Dong farm produce opens wider doors to China

Despite fluctuations in global trade, the cooperative relationship between Lam Dong province and the Chinese market remains stable with vast room for growth. China continues to affirm its role as one of the locality's top trading partners, especially in agricultural and industrial imports and exports, as well as in attracting investment.

According to data from the Lam Dong Department of Industry and Trade, in 2025, the province's total export value to China was estimated at around $153.4 million. This figure accounts for 4.47% of the province's total export turnover, making China the fourth-largest export market for Lam Dong.

The most prominent mark in the export picture is agricultural products and industrial raw materials such as durian, dragon fruit, processed vegetables and fruits, seafood, raw silk and alumina. Among them, fresh fruit remains a key driver, playing a vital role thanks to the massive demand for consumption in the billion-person market.

Continuing the growth momentum, in the first four months of 2026, bilateral trade recorded optimistic signals with an estimated export value of over $41.3 million. Items generating high turnover include alumina (about $5 million), green coffee beans (nearly $4.73 million), seafood (nearly $2.9 million) and rubber (over $2 million). Fruit and raw silk maintained stable volumes. The industry and trade sector noted that China's demand for agricultural imports remains massive, but this market increasingly prioritizes products with clear traceability and high-quality standards.

Besides the official export channel, small-scale cross-border goods exchange remains vibrant, serving as a significant consumption channel for the locality's fresh vegetables and fruits.

Conversely, China is Lam Dong's largest market for goods imports. In the first four months of 2026 alone, the total import value was estimated at over $123 million (accounting for about 20.7% of the province's total import turnover), indicating a substantial trade deficit. The main imported items were electrical machinery and equipment (accounting for over $79 million), mechanical machinery, iron and steel products, mineral materials and raw materials for agro-industrial production.

Specifically in the agricultural sector, the province wishes to cooperate with Chinese partners to establish an agricultural and fruit quality testing system in the locality. Investing in this modern system is the "key" to enhancing residue testing capacity and traceability while fully meeting strict technical requirements. Functional agencies assess that this will be a powerful launchpad for billion-dollar export items like durian and dragon fruit to reach wider markets.

Although opportunities are wide open, many experts also advise Lam Dong businesses not to be complacent. Proactively improving product quality, standardizing production processes and gradually reducing reliance on small-scale border trade are vital requirements. Concurrently, diversifying export markets must be carefully calculated to disperse risks amid international market fluctuations.

With its abundant agricultural potential, China will undoubtedly remain Lam Dong's most important strategic partner in its upcoming development journey.