Promoting agricultural, forestry and fishery trade with China

(Chinhphu.vn) - From May 27 to 29, 2025, a delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam, led by Minister Do Duc Duy, visited and worked in China to enhance trade cooperation in agricultural, forestry and fishery products between the two countries. The working trip focused on removing difficulties in durian exports, ensuring smooth import and export activities of lychees in the 2025 crop season and expanding the market for strategic agricultural products.

Vietnam and China agreed to establish a joint working group on food safety and an annual ministerial meeting mechanism that will create an effective dialogue channel - Photo: Ministry of Agriculture and Environment

According to the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , in Beijing, Minister Do Duc Duy held talks with Ms. Ton Mai Quan, Director General of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). The two sides agreed on a series of solutions to promote agricultural trade, including:

Removing export obstacles, focusing on handling issues related to durian exports and ensuring smooth lychee import and export activities in 2025. China pledges to work closely to resolve technical and procedural barriers.

The priority customs clearance mechanism will establish a "green agricultural product channel" to prioritize fast customs clearance for fresh fruit products during peak seasons, while increasing working hours at the border gate (including weekends and after office hours) to meet increased demand.

Speed ​​up the negotiations of the Protocol, the two sides will transfer technical expertise to complete and sign new protocols, in which priority will be given to the export of exploited aquatic products, fresh aquatic products, grapefruit and lemons from Vietnam. China will send a working group to inspect grapefruit and lemons in the field to develop a draft Protocol.

A high-level cooperation mechanism will be established through an annual rotating ministerial meeting between the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and GACC, and a joint working group on food safety and quality inspection will be established to promptly handle arising issues.

Update and sign new Protocols, consider signing new protocols to replace expired documents, ensuring compliance with the actual situation.

Minister Do Duc Duy emphasized the increasingly substantive cooperation between the two agencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides flexibly applied online assessments and signed indirect protocols, helping to open the market for many products such as durian, dragon fruit, black jelly and bird's nest. Currently, Vietnam and China have signed 28 Memorandums of Understanding and Protocols, creating a solid foundation for bilateral trade.

Minister Do Duc Duy's working trip marks an important step forward in the cooperation relationship in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fisheries between Vietnam and China - Photo: Ministry of Agriculture and Environment

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, the import-export turnover of agricultural, forestry and fishery products between Vietnam and China in 2024 will reach 17.8 billion USD, up 14.6% compared to 2023. Of which, exports will reach 13.5 billion USD (up 14.3%), imports will reach 4.3 billion USD (up 21%). In the first four months of 2025, the export turnover is estimated to reach 5.07 billion USD, up 3.7% over the same period in 2024, showing the potential for sustainable growth.

Vietnam has exported 15 types of fruits and vegetables (durian, dragon fruit, lychee, longan, watermelon, passion fruit, sweet potato, etc.), bird's nest, crocodile, farmed monkey, fish meal, milk and various types of seafood to China. Vietnam has also removed all obstacles to the export of sturgeon and cat and dog food to China, demonstrating the spirit of mutually beneficial cooperation.

During the visit, the delegation visited the Tan Phat Dia Agricultural Products Distribution Center - the largest agricultural product importer and distributor in China. This is an opportunity for Vietnam to learn about market demand and connect with major distributors, expanding the consumption channel for agricultural products.

Minister Do Duc Duy also worked with China Supply and Marketing Group, a large-scale agricultural distribution group with total assets of nearly 200 billion yuan, 11 subsidiaries and 32,800 employees. The group operates in the fields of fertilizer, pesticide, food reserves, cotton trading and agricultural product distribution. The meeting opened up prospects for investment cooperation in the production, processing and distribution of agricultural products between enterprises of the two countries.

Minister Do Duc Duy's visit marked an important step forward in the cooperation in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fisheries between Vietnam and China. The solutions agreed upon at the talks not only help to resolve immediate difficulties but also lay the foundation for long-term cooperation. The establishment of a "green channel" mechanism and increased customs clearance time will reduce pressure on seasonal products such as lychees, while new protocols will expand opportunities for Vietnamese seafood and vegetables.

Furthermore, the establishment of a joint working group on food safety and an annual ministerial meeting mechanism will create an effective dialogue channel, ensuring sustainable development of bilateral trade. The survey activities at the Tan Phat Dia Center and the China Supply and Marketing Group are strategic steps, helping Vietnamese businesses and localities seek opportunities for cooperation, investment and increasing the value of agricultural products in the international market.

Do Huong

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/thuc-day-thuong-mai-nong-lam-thuy-san-voi-trung-quoc-102250528143446546.htm