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| Durian exports to China see robust growth during eight-month period |
The northern neighbour remains the leading consumer of Vietnamese fruit and vegetable with a turnover reaching US$2.26 billion, duly accounting for 63.6% of the country’s total export turnover throughout the reviewed period.
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Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, attributed this impressive growth to China’s reopening along with durian fruit being officially exported to the northern neighbour.
Most notably, the past eight months has seen durian exports reach nearly US$1.3 billion, of which exports to the Chinese market accounted for about 90% of total turnover of this fruit.
Furthermore, China also moved to increase imports of other fruits such as bananas, jackfruit, dragon fruit, and watermelon.
Currently, Vietnam boasts 16 plant products being exported to the Chinese market, including bananas, durian, mangosteen, black jelly, rice bran, rice, sweet potatoes, watermelon, dragon fruit, mango, jackfruit, longan, lychee , rambutan, chili, and passion fruit.
The country has already signed the protocol for the export of rice bran, rice, mangosteen, black jelly, durian, bananas, and sweet potatoes to China
Moreover, the country is in the process of negotiating to sign protocols for the entry of dragon fruit, watermelon, lychee, longan, rambutan, mango, and jackfruit into this market.
Chili peppers and passion fruits are temporarily being allowed to be exported, while citrus fruit groups such as oranges, grapefruits, and coconuts are in the technical negotiation stage.
The Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has also submitted an application aimed at opening the market for custard apples and cardamom.
According to preliminary data released by the General Department of Vietnam Customs, fruit and vegetable exports by the end of August reached US$3.55 billion, up 61.8% over the same period from last year, thereby surpassing the figure of US$3.36 billion for the entirety of 2022.
Fruit and vegetables are also the commodity group which recorded the highest growth rate in the agricultural industry during the reviewed period.
Cashew exports hit record high of over US$300 million in August
Vietnam’s cashew exports in August alone reached a new record high of 60,580 tonnes worth US$333.83 million, reported the Voice of Vietnam according to figures released the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
These statistics represent a rise of 10.8% in volume and 9.7% in value compared to the previous month, whilst marking an increase of 29.2% in volume and 21.8% in value against the same period from last year.
During the eight-month period, the country shipped nearly 395,600 tonnes of cashew worth US$2.28 billion, up 15.5% in volume and 11.3% in value compared to the same period last year.
The average export price of Vietnamese cashew in August reached US$5,510 per tonne, down 1% compared to July and a drop of 5.7% compared to August, 2022.
Meanwhile, the average cashew export price during the eight-month period stood at US$5,760 per tonne, down 3.6% on-year.
Most notably, cashew nut exports to several major markets such as China, Germany, the UK, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia witnessed a sharp increase compared to the last year’s corresponding period.
This year, the cashew industry aims to rake in more than US$3.1 billion from exports. The sector continues to face a number of challenges as factories must depend on 50% to 60% of imported raw materials.
In order to deal with this problem, the key solution for the sector is to improve the overall yield and general quality of Vietnamese cashew trees moving forward, according to experts.
Vietnam takes steps towards net zero emissions
The issuance of the national plan on the implementation of the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use is another step taken by the Vietnamese Government towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| Under the plan, the area of downgrading natural forests restored and upgraded is set at 10% by 2025, and 20% by 2030. (Photo: VNA) |
The declaration was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November 2021. A total of 143 nations signed the declaration, accounting for over 90% of the world’s forest coverage. This effort aimed to “halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 while delivering sustainable development and promoting inclusive rural transformation.”
The national plan by 2030 is intended to realise goals of sustainable agricultural and rural development, greenhouse gas emission reduction, climate change response, biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, and transition to a green economy and a circular economy.
Under the plan, the area of downgrading natural forests restored and upgraded is set at 10% by 2025, and 20% by 2030. Meanwhile, the area certified for sustainable forest management is expected to reach 0.5 million hectares by 2025, and 1 million hectares by 2030.
Vietnam will perfect mechanisms and policies to promote sustainability in agro-forestry production and consumption, and raise resilience of forest land to climate change.
Efforts will be made to advance rural livelihoods by empowering the community, consolidating the land management system, and improving the multi-purpose management of forests.
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| Over the past years, competent forces, localities, and residents have worked hard to promote forestation, forest protection and biodiversity conservation. (Photo: VNA) |
The plan also aims to promote the access to and efficient use of domestic and international financial resources, as well as the public-private partnership in agro-forestry production, and sustainable forest management, and support local residents, especially ethnic minority groups.
The Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development noted that to improve forest quality, it is a must to review the area of forestry land and forest for the harmonious forest allocation.
The agency also asked localities to build a list of high-yielding forest tree species that are suitable with local soil conditions and satisfy market requirements, while optimising technologies in forestation.
Statistics showed that Vietnam was home to over 14.7 million hectares of forests last year, and its forest coverage reached 42.02%.
Over the past years, competent forces, localities, and residents have worked hard to promote forestation, forest protection and biodiversity conservation, reaping significant achievements, with the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, the northern province of Dien Bien, and the southern province of Ca Mau as role models in this regard.
Vietnamese Olympic team fly to China ahead of ASIAD
The Vietnamese Olympic team departed Hanoi for Hangzhou in China on September 16 as they get their preparations for the upcoming Asian Games (ASIAD 19), reported the Voice of Vietnam.
The Vietnam Olympic team's flight departed from Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi at 10:05 a.m. and is expected to land at Pudong International Airport - Shanghai in China at 2:25 p.m. (local time) the same day.
After entering the northern neighbour, coach Hoang Anh Tuan and his team traveled by bus to Hangzhou.
Once in Hangzhou, coach Tuan and his team will have three days to make their final preparations before playing against Mongolia in the opening match on September 19, with the fixture taking place in Group B of ASIAD 19 men’s soccer event.
Before leaving for China, the Vietnamese coach finalised the list of 22 players to make the squad for the tournament. Due to competition rules, the team only has two players aged 23 or over, with the duo being goalkeeper Sy Huy and striker Nham Manh Dung.
According to the schedule, the Vietnamese Olympic team will meet the Mongolian team in the opening match at 3:00 p.m. (Vietnam time) on September 19, then play against Iran at 6:30 p.m. on September 21, before completing the group stage with a game against Saudi Arabia at 6:30 p.m. on September 24.
All football matches involving the Vietnam Olympic team will take place at Linping Sport Center./.