The Edible Bird's Nest Import Platform at Xiamen FTZ. [Photo by Lin Yuyang for ftz.xm.gov.cn]
The Edible Bird's Nest Import Platform at Xiamen Free Trade Zone received 110 kilograms of Vietnamese raw edible bird's nest, a highly prized, expensive Asian delicacy made from the solidified saliva of swiftlets, on March 2, shipped by air through Xiamen Port.
This is the first import of raw edible bird's nest from Vietnam to China, expanding the country's sourcing origins beyond Malaysia. It also marks a further opening of the trade channel for high-quality ASEAN agricultural products, enriching the domestic market supply.
Xiamen FTZ enterprises boast an annual processing capacity of up to 650 metric tons of raw edible bird's nest. However, their processing volume to date has been only around 30 tons. Historically, imports of raw bird's nest relied almost solely on Malaysia.
Xiamen Customs officers inspect imported raw edible bird's nests. [Photo by Lin Yuyang for ftz.xm.gov.cn]
The surge in demand for premium products, driven by new segments like edible bird's nest porridge, is spurring a shift in sourcing strategies. Companies are now turning to Vietnam, a key source of raw edible bird's nest. Its favorable climate and cost-effective labor give Vietnamese edible bird's nest a distinct competitive edge on price.
As early as 2019, the Xiamen FTZ supported its edible bird's nest platform enterprises in setting up raw edible bird's nest processing facilities in Vietnam.
In April 2025, after China granted market access to Vietnamese raw edible bird's nest that meets certain requirements, Southeast Edible Bird's Nest Capital quickly moved into action, facilitating the first shipment of Vietnamese raw edible bird's nest into China.
With Vietnamese raw edible bird's nest now entering the Chinese market, domestic companies are poised to advance their processing technology — elevating the industry beyond simple repackaging toward greater technological sophistication and brand development.