The event, held by the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), aimed to exchange information on market regulations and fruit & vegetable import and export control between the two countries.
Despite the positive developments in recent times, Vietnam-China agro commodity trade from January to September dropped by 8.6% year-on-year due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of Vietnam’s key exports to China posted declines in revenue, with the fruit and vegetable export value reporting a sharp decrease of 25.9% to just US$1.4 billion.
Apart from the disease, the exports of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables to the Chinese market also faced multiple challenges including the prolonged process of technical exchange and risk assessment in the opening of the market for fruit and vegetable products, as well as the adjustments in China’s border trade management policies.
According to an official from the Consulate General of China in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exporters have shown the ability to adapt quickly, while the country’s fruit & vegetable exports to China have maintained a steady increase. However, feedback from the Chinese customs authorities show that obstacles remain in terms of the growing area registration, the management of packing establishments, and the inspection and traceability of origin regarding Vietnam’s export fruits & vegetables.
Participants in the workshop.
Given the aforementioned situation, MARD had working sessions with the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam and exchanged notes with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the General Administration of Customs of China to promote the opening of door to agricultural products and remove difficulties in order to develop the export market for farm produce through official channels.
At the workshop, representatives of the two countries’ authorities updated localities, industry associations and businesses on policy changes, new regulations and China’s measures on enhancing quality control and quarantine on fruit and vegetable imports, thus improving the capacity of enforcing and satisfying the two sides’ market regulations and facilitating farm produce exports.
The event also offered an opportunity for Vietnamese and Chinese businesses to boost cooperation, investment and linkages in the production chain while ensuring food quality and safety standards, towards developing a stable and sustainable agro product consumption market for the common benefits of both sides.
