According to businesses, the signing of the protocol for officially exporting coconuts to China will provide this product with an opportunity to surpass the $1 billion mark in the near future, while also creating lucrative opportunities for many coconut-producing localities.

Leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) recently had a working session with the General Administration of Customs of China. According to MARD, both sides have agreed to soon complete the procedures to sign the protocol on phytosanitary requirements for fresh coconuts and frozen durians exported from Vietnam to China. Notably, the two sides have initialed the conclusion of negotiations on the protocol for phytosanitary requirements for exporting fresh coconuts from Vietnam to China. Following this information, Vietnamese businesses are very excited about the opening of the market with 1.4 billion consumers.

Mr. Tran Van Duc, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bến Tre Coconut Investment Joint Stock Company, stated that the demand for coconut imports in China is very high. Each year, China uses approximately 2.6 billion fresh coconuts and 1.5 billion coconuts for processing, while the country's production only meets 10% of this demand.

The signing of the protocol for officially exporting coconuts to China provides an opportunity for coconut exports to surpass the $1 billion mark in the near future.

According to Mr. Duc, recognizing China as a potential market, his company has long desired to penetrate this market. However, without a protocol between the two countries, the company's coconut products could not be exported to China, despite being available in high-end markets like Europe, the United States, and the Middle East.

"Vietnam currently ranks seventh in the world for coconut production. Our advantage is our proximity to China, so if we can open up this market, coconut exports will make a significant breakthrough," Mr. Duc said.

He also noted that some partners in China have already started reaching out to explore and visit the company's factories and products. Mr. Duc is confident that, with experience in exporting fresh coconuts to high-end markets, meeting China's requirements for sourcing and packaging will not be too difficult. The key now is to await guidance from the relevant authorities.

Ms. Đặng Huỳnh Ức My, Chairwoman of Betrimex, stated that Vietnam currently has over 180,000 hectares of coconut plantations, mostly concentrated in the central coastal provinces and the Mekong Delta. Particularly in Bến Tre Province, coconut products have been exported to nearly 100 countries and regions, including Europe, America, and the Middle East, and coconuts account for over 42.5% of the province's export revenue.

"Last year, coconuts were recognized as a key economic crop for the first time, and exports reached the $1 billion mark. With abundant supply, official export of Vietnamese coconuts to China will help this product exceed the $1 billion mark, increase income for farmers, and promote more professional and standardized coconut production in the country," Ms. My noted.

Mr. Huỳnh Tấn Đạt, Director of the Plant Protection Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that for more than two years, the department has had in-depth discussions with Chinese technical agencies on issues related to pest management, quality control, and fruit safety measures, as well as product packaging.

According to Mr. Đạt, promoting the signing of the protocol on fresh coconuts is part of China's new approach to facilitate Vietnam's exports. Successfully opening the market for each agricultural product also demonstrates international trust in Vietnamese agricultural products.

Duong Hung - Tienphong.vn