Vietnam gains approval to export frozen durian

Vietnam is allowed to export frozen durian and fresh coconuts to China under an official quota, following the signing of protocols between the two countries on Monday.

These protocols signed by Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and China’s General Administration of Customs in Beijing under the witness of Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary and President To Lam and China’s Communist Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping are expected to increase shipment of the fruits.

Another protocol that was signed allow the export of Vietnamese crocodiles to China under official quota.

The protocols, which are key components of the Goods Trade Agreement and took effect immediately upon signing, include specific requirements for animal and plant quarantine as well as food safety.

The protocols, which integral parts of the Goods Trade Agreement and took effect immediately after signing, consist of specific requirements on animal and plant quarantine and food safety.

All exporters that have completed necessary procedures and meet the import country’s quarantine requirements can deliver their products across the border.

Agriculture minister Le Minh Hoan said that the three protocols are the results of negotiations between the two countries, which allows Vietnamese frozen durian and fresh coconuts to reach a market of 1.4 billion people.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of Vietnam Fruits and Vegetables Association, said that the majority of Vietnamese frozen durian has so far been exported to mostly Thailand, the U.S. and Europe with a total value of several hundred million U.S. dollars a year.

With China opening its door, exports of this fruit will likely surge, he added.

Last year Vietnam exported 500,000 tons of fresh durian with a total value of $2.3 billion, in which China bought 90%.

Vietnam now has 154,000 hectares of durian with a total yield of 1.2 million tons, and the latter figure grows around 15% a year.

The country is also a major exporter of coconuts with 175,000 hectares of the fruit, mostly in the Mekong Delta region.

With the new protocols signed, frozen durian exports are expected to reach $400-500 million this year, while fresh coconut exports are set to increase by $200-300 million.

To Lam and his spouse are on a state visit to China from Aug.18-20.