On August 19, 2024, in Beijing, under the witness of General Secretary and President of Vietnam To Lam and General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) signed a Protocol to allow the export of frozen durians, fresh coconut, and crocodiles from Vietnam to China.
The three Protocols include: inspection, phytosanitary and food safety for frozen durian; phytosanitary requirements for fresh coconut; and quarantine and health requirements for farmed crocodiles. This signing ceremony is considered an important step in agricultural trade relations between the two countries, opening up great opportunities for Vietnam’s agricultural industry, especially the products that have just been signed.
Frozen durian, a product with high added value, is expected to make a great contribution to Vietnam’s agricultural product export turnover. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the opening of the Chinese market for this product can reach an export turnover of 400-500 million USD in 2024 and soon be included in the list of agricultural products exported with a value of “billion dollars” in 2025.
In addition to durian, fresh coconut also promises to have great export prospects thanks to the signing of the Protocol, ending the technical negotiation process between the two sides. Vietnam is currently one of the world’s largest coconut producers and exporters, with the planting area concentrated mainly in the Mekong Delta. The opening of the Chinese market is expected to help fresh coconut export turnover increase by 200-300 million USD in 2024.
Crocodiles, the last item on the signed list, also opens up great opportunities for Vietnam’s crocodile farming industry, which has been growing for more than 30 years. Crocodile products such as meat, skin, and other parts are of high economic value. Access to the Chinese market will not only bring economic benefits, but also promote the sustainable development of the industry, while ensuring environmental and animal welfare standards.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Le Minh Hoan, said that the signing of the Protocol was the result of an active negotiation process between specialized units under the Ministry and the General Administration of Customs of China. The Ministry also committed to continue to closely coordinate with China to implement the next steps, ensuring that Vietnam’s agricultural exports to this market are convenient and effective.
Source: Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy
