What recommendations does the association have?

In September, China surpassed the US to become Vietnam's largest cashew nut customer, with export value reaching $73.2 million, a 107.6% increase compared to September last year.

Since the beginning of the year, the Chinese market has recorded a growth rate of 42.3%, but Vietnam's cashew nut exports to this market reached $433.8 million, second only to the US market.

China surpassed the US to become Vietnam's largest cashew nut customer in September. (Illustrative image)

Responding to VTC News on the morning of October 29th regarding this matter, Mr. Tran Huu Hau, Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Cashew Association, said that in September, cashew exports to China surged, leading to a significant increase in cashew export orders from Vietnam to China since the beginning of this year.

According to Mr. Hau, the reason for the high increase in cashew exports is nothing unusual, because China is already a major consumer market for Vietnamese cashews.

"The increase is due to the impact of COVID-19 in previous years, when China implemented a 'Zero COVID' policy, preventing Vietnamese cashew nuts from being exported. This year, with China returning to normalcy and exports resuming, exports have increased, but there is no sudden surge," Mr. Hau said.

According to Mr. Hau, China is Vietnam's third largest cashew nut import market. The increase in cashew nut imports from China is perfectly normal for Vietnam, given China's huge demand for cashew nuts.

"Chinese cuisine pairs very well with nuts, and they use them extensively. Previously, Chinese people used nuts like almonds and walnuts, but these were much more expensive than cashews. Therefore, cashews gradually became popular and their consumption increased in the Chinese market, being incorporated into various dishes," Mr. Hau said.

Mr. Hau also stated that China is currently strictly controlling food safety and hygiene issues, including food imports.

"Regarding food safety and hygiene issues, China has issued two import-related orders, and Vietnamese businesses have made great efforts to ensure compliance with the requirements of their Chinese counterparts."

However, some businesses, especially small ones, still operate in the old way, meaning they still produce manually, with low standards of food safety and hygiene, so they have to export through unofficial channels, which does not guarantee quality or value,” Mr. Hau said.

According to Mr. Hau, the Chinese market was known for being easygoing many years ago, so some small Vietnamese businesses producing cashew nuts did not meet the quality standards desired by their partners. Therefore, they often sought to export through unofficial channels.

Vietnamese cashew nuts need to ensure food safety and hygiene and be exported through official channels to enhance product value and ensure safe exports. (Illustrative image)

Recently, China has intensified its control over food quality and hygiene, as well as strictly cracking down on the smuggling of food and agricultural products. As a result, they have seized and confiscated a large quantity of smuggled cashew nuts, which were actually imported through unofficial channels. Therefore, exporting Vietnamese cashew nuts to China through unofficial channels is no longer appropriate.

"Therefore, we advise businesses to strictly adhere to food safety and hygiene standards in production and processing as required by their partners, including proper packaging, labeling, and traceability, and to export through official channels to ensure high value and avoid risks."

"This is also a very positive development, helping Vietnamese businesses not only export to the Chinese market, but also expand to export to many other markets around the world ," Mr. Hau said.

According to statistics from the General Department of Customs, in September 2023, Vietnam exported approximately 56.8 thousand tons of cashew nuts, earning 310 million USD, a sharp increase of 47.6% in volume and 31.8% in value compared to September last year.

In the first nine months of this year, Vietnam's cashew exports reached 452,600 tons, worth $2.59 billion, an increase of 18.8% in volume and 13.5% in value compared to the same period in 2022.

The average export price of cashew nuts reached US$5,722 per ton, a decrease of 4.5% compared to the same period in 2022.

In the agricultural sector's "billion-dollar export club," cashew nuts are the third fastest-growing commodity, after fruits and vegetables and rice.

Regarding the market, in September, cashew exports to all traditional and potential markets increased sharply by 2-3 digits compared to September 2022.

Based on cyclical factors, Vietnam's cashew nut exports will be vibrant in the last months of the year. Demand for cashew nuts for holidays and festivals will increase sharply. High growth in cashew nut exports to the Chinese market will contribute to the overall export growth rate of this commodity.

PHAM DUY

Source: https://vtc.vn/trung-quoc-o-at-gom-mua-hat-dieu-cua-viet-nam-hiep-hoi-dieu-khuyen-cao-gi-ar830398.html