Market
Fresh celery in Vietnam is supplied primarily by domestic vegetable production, with notable sourcing from cool-climate highland horticulture in Lâm Đồng Province (Đà Lạt area) and additional supply moving through domestic wholesale and modern retail channels. Vietnam also participates in two-way trade for HS 070940 (celery, fresh or chilled), importing and exporting comparatively modest volumes within Asia. For market access, Vietnam’s plant protection and quarantine regime makes phytosanitary documentation and (where applicable) import licensing decisive for cross-border shipments. Cold-chain discipline is commercially important because celery is highly perishable and quality loss accelerates with heat exposure and physical damage.
Market RoleDomestic consumption market with localized production and two-way trade (imports and exports) in HS 070940
Domestic RoleFresh culinary vegetable used in household and foodservice cooking; supplied via domestic horticulture and distribution channels
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighFresh celery shipments can be blocked, delayed, or subjected to mandatory measures at Vietnam entry if plant quarantine requirements are not met (notably: required phytosanitary certification and any required import phytosanitary licensing/permit/PRA conditions administered by the Plant Protection Department under MARD).Before shipment, confirm whether the consignment is an article liable to quarantine and whether an import permit/PRA applies; align documents to the Plant Protection Department checklist and ensure the original phytosanitary certificate accompanies the consignment.
Logistics MediumCold-chain breaks, heat exposure, and rough handling during domestic trucking or cross-border logistics can rapidly downgrade celery quality (wilting, discoloration, decay), increasing shrink and rejection risk.Use rapid cooling where feasible, maintain near-0°C refrigerated transport with high humidity, and enforce handling SOPs to prevent crushing/cracking and contamination.
Food Safety MediumPostharvest decay (bacterial soft rot and fungal rots) can escalate when sanitation is weak and temperature control is poor, creating food-safety and shelf-life failures in retail distribution.Implement sanitation controls, avoid damaged lots, keep product cold (0–2°C) and dry-surface where appropriate, and separate from incompatible mixed loads when needed.
FAQ
What documents are typically needed to import fresh celery into Vietnam?Vietnam’s plant quarantine framework generally requires a phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country’s competent authority, and Vietnam also operates an import phytosanitary licensing/permit process through the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). Procedure guidance also references standard dossier items such as an application form and a commercial contract.
Does Vietnam import or export fresh celery?Yes. UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank WITS portal for HS 070940 (celery, fresh or chilled) shows Vietnam both imports and exports, with exports exceeding imports in 2023.
What cold-chain targets help preserve celery quality during distribution?UC Davis postharvest guidance indicates celery retains best quality around 0°C with very high relative humidity (about 98–100%), after rapid cooling and with careful handling to avoid crushing and decay.