Vietnam Longan Export: Harvest Season and Export Requirements

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August 26, 2026

On September 30, 2023

Vietnam is an established producer of longan (Dimocarpus longan), supplying both domestic and international markets. Vietnamese longan is available in several commercial varieties and can be exported as fresh, frozen, dried, canned or processed longan products.

For international buyers, Vietnam offers an attractive sourcing option because longan production is distributed across both northern and southern regions, creating different harvest windows during the year. Vietnam already exports longan to markets including China, Singapore, Malaysia and the United States.

This guide covers Vietnam’s longan varieties, harvest season, growing regions, quality standards, packaging, shelf life and key export requirements.

1. Why Source Longan from Vietnam?

Vietnam has several advantages for international longan buyers.

Multiple Growing Regions

Longan is cultivated in both northern and southern Vietnam.

Important production areas include:

Mekong Delta
Hung Yen
Son La
Hai Duong
Dong Thap
Tien Giang
Vinh Long
Ben Tre

Hung Yen, Son La and Hai Duong have developed concentrated production areas and export-oriented cultivation. (Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus))

Extended Production Window

One advantage of Vietnam’s longan industry is the difference between northern and southern production seasons.

In southern Vietnam, longan can be produced throughout the year, with production traditionally peaking around June–July. In northern Vietnam, the main season is generally July–August, with some newer cultivars extending into early September. (Nông Nghiệp Úc)

Fresh and Processed Products

International buyers can source:

Fresh longan
Frozen longan
Frozen longan pulp
Dried longan
Canned longan
Longan juice
Longan puree
Longan-based beverages

This gives importers options beyond the relatively short shelf life of fresh fruit.

2. Main Longan Varieties in Vietnam

Vietnam grows a number of longan varieties adapted to different production regions.

Nhan Long

Nhan Long is one of the traditional commercial longan varieties grown in Vietnam.

It is cultivated in both northern and southern production areas and is used for fresh consumption as well as processing.

Tieu Da Bo

Tieu Da Bo is an important southern Vietnamese longan variety.

It is associated with production in the Mekong Delta and is suitable for fresh consumption and commercial distribution.

Hung Yen Longan

Hung Yen longan is a traditional Vietnamese variety associated with Hung Yen Province in northern Vietnam.

It is valued for its:

Sweet flavor
Fragrant flesh
Attractive fruit
Traditional Vietnamese origin

It can be positioned as a specialty product rather than only as a commodity fruit.

Xuong Com Vang

Xuong Com Vang is another traditional Vietnamese longan variety recorded in southern production areas.

Buyers interested in specialty Vietnamese fruit should confirm the exact cultivar, size and quality specifications with the supplier.

3. Vietnam Longan Harvest Season

Longan has a relatively interesting production calendar because the timing differs between northern and southern Vietnam.

Southern Vietnam

Longan can be produced throughout much of the year, with the traditional production peak around:

June–July

Northern Vietnam

The main harvest period is generally:

July–August

Some newer cultivars can extend the harvest into:

Early September

These regional differences allow exporters to investigate supply from different growing areas according to the buyer’s required shipping period. (Nông Nghiệp Úc)

Indicative Longan Export Calendar

Month	Availability
January	Limited
February	Limited
March	Limited
April	Limited
May	Supply begins increasing in some areas
June	Strong southern supply
July	Peak supply
August	Strong northern supply
September	Some late varieties
October	Limited/shoulder supply
November	Limited
December	Limited

Actual availability varies according to variety, province, weather and production schedule. Buyers planning container shipments should request a supplier-specific harvest calendar.

4. Fresh Longan Export from Vietnam

Fresh longan is generally harvested at an appropriate maturity stage and quickly prepared for export.

The typical process is:

Harvesting → sorting → grading → treatment/cooling → packing → cold storage → export inspection → shipment

The exact treatment and inspection procedures depend on the destination market.

Export-quality longan should generally have:

Clean skin
Uniform fruit size
Healthy appearance
Good flesh development
Sweet flavor
No visible decay
No serious bruising
No major pest damage

5. Longan Export Quality Requirements

International buyers may specify several quality parameters.

Fruit Size

Buyers may request a particular:

Fruit diameter
Fruit weight
Number of fruits per kilogram
Grade
Carton weight

Uniform sizing is especially important for supermarket and retail programs.

Flesh Quality

Buyers may evaluate:

Sweetness
Juiciness
Flesh thickness
Flesh-to-seed ratio
Aroma
Seed size
Flesh color

External Appearance

The fruit should generally be:

Clean
Free from serious blemishes
Free from mold
Free from decay
Free from significant insect damage
Uniformly mature

The exact tolerance levels should be specified in the commercial purchase agreement.

6. Longan Harvest Maturity

Harvest maturity is particularly important for fresh longan exports.

Fruit harvested too early may have inadequate sweetness and flesh development.

Fruit harvested too late may have reduced shelf life and be more vulnerable to deterioration during transportation.

The exporter should therefore coordinate:

Maturity → harvest date → treatment → cooling → packing → shipping schedule

For commercial orders, buyers should ask for the supplier’s specific maturity and quality specification rather than relying on a generic harvest date.

7. Longan Packaging for Export

Common export packaging includes:

Corrugated cartons
Plastic crates
Mesh bags
Plastic trays
Food-grade bags
Retail packs
Palletized cartons

For export programs, packaging should protect the fruit against:

Compression
Bruising
Moisture
Physical damage
Temperature fluctuations

Destination-country requirements can also determine what information must appear on the package.

For example, Thailand’s import conditions for Vietnamese longan require traceability information such as country of origin, exporting company, fruit name, packinghouse registration number and orchard registration number. (Sẵn Sàng Xuất Khẩu)

8. Longan Shelf Life and Cold Chain

Fresh longan is a perishable fruit and requires appropriate post-harvest handling.

Shelf life depends on:

Variety
Harvest maturity
Cooling speed
Temperature
Relative humidity
Packaging
Treatment
Transit time

Therefore, it is better for buyers to request a supplier-specific shelf-life specification rather than assuming one universal shelf-life figure.

For long-distance export, the exporter should coordinate:

Harvest
Sorting
Treatment where required
Pre-cooling
Packing
Cold storage
Reefer loading
International transportation

The exact temperature and treatment protocol should be determined according to the destination market and approved export procedure.

9. Fresh Longan Shipping by Sea

Sea freight can be suitable for commercial volumes when the product, treatment and transit time are compatible with the available shelf life.

Before booking a container, the exporter and buyer should confirm:

Harvest date
Expected transit time
Post-harvest treatment
Storage temperature
Packaging
Reefer requirements
Destination clearance time
Final distribution conditions

For highly time-sensitive or premium shipments, air freight can also be considered.

10. Frozen Longan Export from Vietnam

Frozen longan provides an alternative for buyers that need longer storage and more flexible transportation.

Possible products include:

Frozen whole longan
Frozen peeled longan
Frozen longan pulp
Frozen longan meat
Frozen longan puree

Frozen longan can be used in:

Desserts
Beverages
Smoothies
Ice cream
Bakery products
Food manufacturing

It is particularly suitable for buyers who do not need the fruit to arrive as fresh whole produce.

11. Dried and Processed Longan

Vietnam also has experience producing processed longan products.

Potential export products include:

Dried longan
Longan snacks
Canned longan
Longan juice
Longan puree
Longan concentrate
Longan beverages

Processed longan can offer a substantially longer commercial shelf life than fresh fruit and can therefore be attractive to importers with limited fresh-produce distribution infrastructure.

Vietnamese longan and related products such as dried longan and canned longan juice have been reported in markets including China, Australia, the US, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Europe and the Middle East. (Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus))

12. Major Longan-Producing Areas in Vietnam

Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is one of Vietnam’s major longan-producing regions.

The area has favorable tropical conditions and a large agricultural production base.

Important longan-producing provinces include areas around:

Dong Thap
Tien Giang
Vinh Long
Ben Tre

Southern production is particularly useful for buyers looking for supply outside the traditional northern harvest period.

Hung Yen

Hung Yen is one of Vietnam’s most famous traditional longan-growing areas.

The province is particularly associated with specialty Hung Yen longan.

Son La

Son La has developed concentrated fruit-growing areas and is an important northern source of longan.

Hai Duong

Hai Duong is another northern province with established longan cultivation.

The combination of northern and southern growing regions gives exporters flexibility when planning supply.

13. Vietnam Longan Export Markets

Vietnamese longan has been exported to a number of international markets.

China

China is one of the important destinations for Vietnamese longan.

The market is particularly relevant because of its geographical proximity and demand for tropical fruit.

Exporters must comply with the applicable Chinese requirements relating to:

Registered growing areas
Packing facilities
Traceability
Phytosanitary requirements
Food safety
Packaging
Pest control

Import-market requirements can change, so exporters should verify current requirements before each commercial program.

United States

The United States is another established destination for Vietnamese longan.

The US market places strong emphasis on:

Phytosanitary compliance
Pest control
Treatment requirements where applicable
Traceability
Food safety

Australia

Australia is an increasingly interesting market for Vietnamese longan. Australia’s Department of Agriculture states that fresh longan from Vietnam can be imported subject to its biosecurity conditions, and the current BICON conditions for fresh Vietnamese longan took effect 30 January 2026. (Nông Nghiệp Úc)

This makes Australia a particularly important market to consider when developing a current longan export program.

Japan and South Korea

Japan and South Korea can provide opportunities for premium fresh and processed Vietnamese fruit.

Buyers in these markets generally place strong emphasis on:

Appearance
Food safety
Traceability
Consistency
Packaging
Residue compliance

Southeast Asia

Potential markets include:

Singapore
Malaysia
Thailand
Indonesia

Vietnam has already supplied longan to several Southeast Asian markets. (Nông Nghiệp Úc)

Europe and Middle East

Fresh, frozen and processed longan can also target:

Netherlands
Germany
France
United Kingdom
United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Qatar
Kuwait

Processed and frozen products can be particularly interesting for markets where fresh-fruit logistics are more challenging.

14. Export Requirements for Vietnamese Longan

Longan export requirements depend heavily on the destination country.

However, an exporter should normally prepare for several categories of requirements.

1. Phytosanitary Requirements

Fresh longan shipments may require a phytosanitary certificate issued by Vietnam’s plant-quarantine authority.

Destination countries may also impose specific pest-control or treatment requirements. (Asemconnect Vietnam)

2. Registered Growing Areas

Some markets require fruit to originate from approved or registered production areas.

3. Registered Packing Facilities

Certain destination markets require packinghouses to be registered or approved.

4. Traceability

The exporter should be able to trace the shipment back to:

Farm / orchard → packing facility → shipment

5. Food Safety

Buyers may request:

Pesticide-residue testing
Microbiological testing where applicable
Heavy-metal testing where applicable
GAP certification
Supplier food-safety documentation

Maximum residue limits vary by destination market. Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has also emphasized that compliance with importing-market requirements is essential for fruit exports. (Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus))

6. Packaging and Labeling

Packaging must meet the requirements of the destination market.

Information may include:

Product name
Country of origin
Exporter
Packinghouse
Orchard/growing-area registration
Net weight
Lot/batch information

15. Fresh vs. Frozen vs. Dried Longan

Product	Main Advantage	Typical Buyers
Fresh longan	Premium seasonal fruit	Importers, supermarkets, wholesalers
Frozen longan	Longer storage	Food manufacturers, distributors
Frozen longan pulp	Convenient ingredient	Beverage and dessert companies
Dried longan	Long shelf life	Snack importers, retailers
Canned longan	Stable shelf life	Foodservice, supermarkets
Longan juice	Beverage application	Beverage manufacturers
Longan puree	Processing ingredient	Food manufacturers

16. What International Longan Buyers Should Ask Suppliers

Before placing an order, buyers should request:

Longan variety
Growing area
Orchard registration
Packinghouse registration
Harvest season
Expected harvest date
Fruit size
Grade
Number of fruits per kilogram
Sweetness/Brix specification
Flesh quality
Packaging
Net weight per carton
Treatment method
Storage temperature
Shelf life
Monthly supply capacity
Certifications
Pesticide-residue test results where applicable
Phytosanitary documentation
Traceability information
Previous export markets
MOQ
Loading port
Incoterm
Lead time
Payment terms

For large-volume shipments, buyers should consider an independent pre-shipment inspection.

17. How a Vietnam Longan Export Order Works

A typical commercial order can follow these steps:

Step 1 – Buyer Sends Requirements

The buyer provides:

Variety
Quantity
Size
Grade
Packaging
Destination
Required delivery period

Step 2 – Supplier Selection

The exporter identifies suitable orchards, cooperatives and packing facilities.

Step 3 – Quotation

Pricing is prepared based on:

Product specification
Quantity
Packaging
Destination
Incoterm

Possible Incoterms include:

Step 4 – Sample and Specification Confirmation

The buyer reviews:

Product samples
Photos
Specifications
Packaging
Certificates
Test reports

Step 5 – Harvest

Fruit is harvested according to the agreed maturity and quality specifications.

Step 6 – Sorting, Treatment and Packing

The fruit is:

Sorted → graded → treated where required → cooled → packed

Step 7 – Export Documentation

Depending on the destination, documents may include:

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading
Certificate of origin
Phytosanitary certificate
Food-safety documents
Treatment certificates where required
Other destination-specific documents

Step 8 – Container Shipment

Fresh longan is shipped using an appropriate cold-chain program.

18. Why Source Longan from Vietnam?

Vietnam can be an attractive sourcing origin for international longan buyers because of:

Multiple production regions
Different harvest windows
Established longan-growing areas
Fresh and processed product options
Competitive agricultural supply
Growing export infrastructure
Proximity to Asian markets
Experience supplying demanding export destinations

The combination of southern and northern production is particularly useful for buyers looking to develop a longer annual sourcing program.

19. Vietnam Longan Export with ELOVA

ELOVA is a Vietnam-based fruit exporter supplying Vietnamese fresh, frozen and processed fruits and agricultural products to international buyers.

For longan buyers, ELOVA can research suitable Vietnamese supply according to your:

Longan variety
Quantity
Fruit size
Quality grade
Packaging
Destination country
Delivery schedule
Fresh or frozen requirement

Available product options may include:

Fresh Vietnamese longan
Hung Yen longan
Nhan Long
Tieu Da Bo
Frozen longan
Frozen longan pulp
Dried longan
Canned longan
Longan juice and other processed products

If you are looking for Vietnamese longan, send us your required variety, quantity, packaging, destination and quality specifications.

ELOVA can review suitable Vietnamese supply options and provide an export quotation for your consideration.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Vietnam longan season?

Southern Vietnam can produce longan throughout the year, with a traditional peak around June–July. Northern Vietnam generally has its main season around July–August, with some varieties extending into early September. (Nông Nghiệp Úc)

What are the main longan varieties in Vietnam?

Commercial and traditional varieties include Nhan Long, Tieu Da Bo, Hung Yen longan and Xuong Com Vang, among others.

Can Vietnam export fresh longan?

Yes. Vietnam exports fresh longan to multiple international markets, subject to destination-specific phytosanitary, food-safety and traceability requirements.

Can I import Vietnamese longan into Australia?

Yes. Australia’s current biosecurity conditions permit fresh longan from Vietnam subject to the applicable BICON requirements, which took effect on 30 January 2026. (Bicon)

Can I import frozen longan from Vietnam?

Yes. Frozen longan and frozen longan pulp can be sourced from Vietnamese processors, subject to product availability and the importing country’s food regulations.

What documents are required to export fresh longan?

Requirements depend on the destination. A phytosanitary certificate may be required, together with commercial documents, traceability information and destination-specific certificates or treatment records. (Asemconnect Vietnam)

What information should I provide when requesting a longan quotation?

Provide the variety, quantity, size/grade, packaging, destination port, required delivery period and preferred Incoterm. This allows ELOVA to identify suitable Vietnamese supply more accurately.

Conclusion

Vietnam offers international buyers a broad range of longan sourcing opportunities, from fresh longan to frozen, dried and processed products.

The country’s two major production zones create different harvest windows: southern Vietnam traditionally peaks in June–July, while northern production is concentrated around July–August. This can provide buyers with greater flexibility when planning annual supply. (Nông Nghiệp Úc)

For fresh longan, successful international shipments depend on careful management of harvest maturity, phytosanitary compliance, traceability, packaging, cold-chain logistics and destination-market requirements.

Looking for Vietnamese longan suppliers? Contact ELOVA with your product requirements, quantity and destination market to explore suitable export options from Vietnam.

Contact ELOVA

ELOVA – Vietnam Fruit Exporter

Contact: Jason Cao
Email: jason.cao@elova.com.vn
WhatsApp: +84 867 569 168
Website: export.elova.com.vn

For fresh longan, frozen longan or other Vietnamese fruit products, contact ELOVA with your product requirements, quantity, packaging and destination market.

We will review suitable supply options in Vietnam and provide an export quotation for your consideration.

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