Establishing a 'green channel' mechanism for importing Vietnamese agricultural products to China

(PLVN) - On May 28, the working delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MARD) led by Minister Do Duc Duy held talks with the General Administration of Customs of China, headed by Director General Ms. Ton Mai Quan. The two sides agreed to establish a "green agricultural channel" mechanism for Vietnam, to prioritize fast customs clearance at border gates for fresh fruit products during the peak harvest season.

“Green channel” mechanism for agricultural products

At the meeting, the two sides committed to applying measures to facilitate the import of Vietnamese agricultural products; at the same time, they suggested a number of solutions to strengthen cooperation in the field of trade and market opening.

The two sides studied and considered the possibility of establishing an annual ministerial-level meeting mechanism on a rotational basis between the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the General Administration of Customs of China to strengthen cooperative relations and promptly handle difficulties and problems arising in agricultural, forestry and fishery trade activities between the two countries.

Minister Do Duc Duy presents a souvenir to Ms. Ton Mai Quan, Director General of the General Administration of Customs of China. Photo: ICD.

Specifically, the two sides established a "green agricultural channel" mechanism to prioritize fast customs clearance at the border gate for fresh fruit products during the peak harvest season, and increased working hours at the border gate during the season (including weekends and outside of office hours) to meet the increased demand for customs clearance. The two sides considered signing a number of new protocols to replace expired protocols and to suit the current situation. The two sides agreed to establish a rotating, annual ministerial-level meeting mechanism. The two sides will establish a joint working group on food safety and quality inspection to promote cooperation and promptly handle arising issues.

During the visit, the delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development visited, worked with and sought cooperation opportunities with Tan Phat Dia Agricultural Products Distribution Center, the largest agricultural product importer and distributor in China. In addition, they worked with China Supply and Marketing Group, a large-scale agricultural product distribution industrial group in China. Currently, this group has total assets of nearly 200 billion yuan, 11 subsidiaries and 32,800 employees operating in a number of agricultural fields.

China will soon send a working group to conduct a field inspection of Vietnamese grapefruit and lemon to develop a draft export protocol. The two sides will soon complete procedures to sign a protocol on Vietnamese exploited aquatic products and fresh aquatic products exported to China.

Vietnam has removed all obstacles in the export of sturgeon and dog and cat food from China to Vietnam. Minister Do Duc Duy highly appreciated the decision of the General Administration of Customs of China to update and add 829 codes for growing areas and 131 codes for packing facilities of durian from Vietnam to be exported to China. This is a clear demonstration of the effective coordination between the two sides, and is also a great source of encouragement for Vietnamese farmers and businesses.

Minister Do Duc Duy also informed that Vietnam shares China's concerns regarding food safety indicators, especially Cadmium and Yellow O dye. Immediately after receiving the warning, Vietnam investigated the cause and implemented synchronous control and remedial solutions throughout the production - processing - export chain. The results were compiled into a report and sent to the General Department to update progress and demonstrate Vietnam's control capacity.

Priority for fast customs clearance of durian and lychee

To continue to facilitate durian exports in 2025 and the following years, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Do Duc Duy proposed a number of specific cooperation contents:

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held talks on agricultural issues with the General Administration of Customs of China. Photo: ICD.

Firstly, it is recommended that the General Administration of Customs of China consider promptly adjusting food safety control measures for Vietnamese durian in a more favorable direction.

Second, facilitate quick customs clearance for durian, especially during peak harvest times such as the upcoming lychee season.

Third, it is recommended that the General Administration of Customs of China continue to consider and approve additional laboratories capable of analyzing Cadmium and Yellow O indicators to facilitate quality inspection activities before export.

Vietnam will strive to strengthen measures to control durian quality along the chain from production to processing and export, and is ready to closely coordinate with the General Administration of Customs of China to handle arising situations related to food quality and safety; Coordinate to prepare solutions to ensure smooth import and export activities for the upcoming lychee crop.

Up to now, the two sides have signed 28 memorandums of understanding/protocols on the export and import of agricultural, forestry and fishery products between the two countries, demonstrating the close cooperation and efforts of the two sides. Currently, many agricultural, forestry and fishery products from Vietnam have been exported to China. These include: 15 fruit and vegetable products (watermelon, mangosteen, black jelly, durian, fresh banana, sweet potato, chili, passion fruit, dragon fruit, rambutan, mango, lychee, longan, jackfruit); crocodiles, farmed monkeys, bird's nests, fish meal and some products serving the production and processing of animal feed; dairy products and various types of seafood.

According to statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, in 2024, the import-export turnover of agricultural, forestry and fishery products between Vietnam and China will reach 17.8 billion USD (up 14.6% over the same period in 2023). Of which, the export of agricultural, forestry and fishery products to the Chinese market will reach 13.5 billion USD (up 14.3% over the same period in 2023), and imports are estimated at 4.3 billion USD (up 21% over the same period in 2023). The export turnover of agricultural, forestry and fishery products between Vietnam and China in the first 4 months of 2025 is estimated at 5.07 billion USD (up 3.7% over the same period in 2024).

Gia Hong

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/thiet-lap-co-che-luong-xanh-cho-nhap-khau-nong-san-viet-nam-vao-trung-quoc-post550002.html