Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Trung recently engaged in talks with Zhao Zenglian, Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), to boost agro-forestry-fishery trade between Vietnam and China.
During the discussions, both parties acknowledged the growth in cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and GACC, especially amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. They worked together to ensure the continuity of bilateral trade in agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products.
To streamline trade processes, China pledged to expedite the review and processing of registration dossiers for Vietnamese agro-forestry exports. The officials also agreed to enhance collaboration in agricultural commerce and market access.
Specifically, they committed to finalizing protocols for the export of Vietnamese fresh coconuts, frozen durians, passion fruit, chilies, crocodiles, unprocessed Salangane nests, poultry, and wild-caught seafood to China. Additionally, efforts will be made to address challenges related to Chinese sturgeon exports to Vietnam.
At the meeting, a protocol on quarantine requirements for monkeys exported from Vietnam to China was signed, along with the conclusion of technical negotiations on phytosanitary requirements for Vietnamese fresh coconuts. This signifies a step towards further enhancing trade relations between the two countries.
Despite the potential for growth, Vietnamese agro-forestry-fishery products currently represent less than 5% of China’s total import value in these sectors. However, in the first five months of 2024, trade between Vietnam and China in these products reached US$6.2 billion, marking a 2.9% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Vietnam’s exports accounted for $4.6 billion of this total, showing an 8.6% rise.
