Agro-product official exports to China: One must go to reach the end of the road

On March 9, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan chaired a working session with units of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and businesses and industry associations. The meeting is about the possibility of converting from unofficial to official agro-product exports to the China market.

Clear the mind

Having listened to the opinions at the working session, Minister Le Minh Hoan said that the most essential thing at present is the readiness and willingness of all parties.

The head of the agricultural industry believed that it is necessary to think more openly about the China market to avoid stagnation and permissiveness that may lead to uncontrol production.

Minister Le Minh Hoan offered several solutions which include organizing production, markets, businesses and associations in order to come up with appropriate policies and plans, actively adapting to changes in the China market.

"Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development holds an open mindset, so there will be many forums to listen to and link strategic management with market developments". The MARD leader said that enterprises and management agencies need to have stronger connections for smooth and effective information.

Another issue also noted by Minister Le Minh Hoan is that the situation requires high determination from all parties to be able to reach the goals.

"Whether it’s a success depends not only on the efforts of relevant ministries and sectors but also the willingness to participate and the consensus of businesses and industry associations in production reorganization and a new approach to the China market.”

Localities need to be more active

According to Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), the identification of official quota not only lies in the delivery method but also in the production and sales method.

“We can see from the lessons of the northern provinces such as Bac Giang, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Son La the fierce participation of local leaders. This is something that the Central Highlands and Mekong Delta provinces can learn from to improve the overall efficiency at the sales stage," said the Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department.

Localities can hold conferences to connect and invite large consumer enterprises to gain access to a methodical approach to the Chinese market which they were unable to in the past. They can also, through ministries, invite major Chinese consumers to join and expand the market deep into China.

If the locality does not have experience, it can ask the Ministry of Industry and Trade or Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for support, and invite the leaders of the Ministries to chair conferences to resolve matters at hand.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said that Northern agricultural products are localized according to specific areas and seasons, so there are certain advantages.

Meanwhile the Central Highlands or the Mekong Delta has a wide variety of products such as durian, dragon fruit, and jackfruit. Consumption for these products therefore requires coordination from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as the involvement of local authorities

Regarding specific solutions, Minister Le Minh Hoan said that two coordination offices will be established in the Central Highlands and Mekong Delta in the near future. Their mission is to manage, plan and organize production for agricultural products in these areas.

This information is welcomed by businesses and localities participating in the event because the two mentioned areas have very good production conditions. If the overall structure can be changed, these lands will achieve greater results.