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| Preliminary processing of fresh coconuts for export in Ben Tre province (Photo: VNA) |
Specifically, the General Administration of Customs of China will conduct field visits to the growing areas and packing facilities of fresh coconuts to assess and analyze the pest risk for fresh coconuts, thereby serving as a basis for signing of the Protocol.
Currently, China consumes very large amount of coconuts, while the domestic supply capacity only satisfies 10%. Therefore, when China opens the door to Vietnamese coconuts, this will be an opportunity for localities, especially the Mekong Delta such as Tra Vinh or Ben Tre.
Currently, Vietnam ranks 7th in coconut production worldwide. Coconut growing area is about 188,000 hectares, mainly in the Mekong Delta. In 4 provinces of Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Tien Giang and Vinh Long alone, the total area has exceeded 130,000 hectares. Recently, localities in the Mekong Delta region have trained and guided people to cultivate coconuts according to GAP, Global GAP, and organic standards, as a condition for the coconuts to be exported to selective markets like the US and Europe. And when China agrees to import Vietnamese coconuts officially, the products will be more exportable. However, compliance with regulations and standards is vital.
Mr. Le Van Thiet, Deputy Director of the Plant Protection Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that it is compulsorty to ensure plant quarantine and food hygiene and safety. Regarding plant quarantine, it must be noted that there are none of the 9 pests that China is concerned about.
According to the Plant Protection Department, 55 training courses on phytosanitary regulations have been organized with nearly 5,000 technical staff. This will be the core force for localities to disseminate regulations on plant quarantine, food safety and hygiene, as well as farming and pest management processes to farmers and businesses.
At present, enterprises are willing to bring fresh coconuts abroad. In order to export coconuts to China smoothly, many businesses have invested in building organic coconut farms. In Ben Tre alone, there are more than 7,000 hectares of certified coconuts. In 2023, the coconut industry strives to export coconut and coconut products to reach over USD1 billion./.