Changing businesses' perceptions on manufacturing and processing

Mr. Than Van Hung, deputy chairman of the Vietnam Digital Agriculture Association (VIDA), stated that following the 10th session of The 970 Agricultural Connection Forum, titled "Sharing information and adapting to new regulations on agriculture and food exports to the Chinese market (Decrees 248 & 249)," Vietnamese businesses altered their production, processing, and preparation to meet the requirements of the Chinese market.

As Hung noted, consumption of clean and eco-friendly items is growing in popularity, and China is not immune to the trend. On behalf of VIDA, Hung anticipates that state competent units would bolster support enterprises in order to meet foreign market demands, including those in China.

While some of the laws included in Decrees 248 and 249 are consistent with those found in the EU and US markets, they continue to be confusing to almost all Vietnamese enterprises.

China has made several modifications in recent years to its management of food safety and biosecurity for imported food and agricultural goods. As a result, firms exporting agricultural goods and food to China must adhere to the Law on Food Safety and Law on Biosafety.

Previously, after obtaining registration paperwork for agricultural product exports from companies through MARD - the focal point, the General Department of Customs of China traveled to Vietnam to conduct field inspections at businesses. However, the work will be conducted online. This is a challenge faced by a large number of Vietnamese enterprises.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Hoa Viet International Agriculture Joint Stock Company, shared: "Today, we heard that raising dogs constitutes a violation of China's food safety standards. I observe dogs at practically every factory; even the most packed location has more than 20 dogs on security duty. As a result, we will petition China's General Administration of Customs to address this problem."

On the other hand, Mr. Vo Quan Huy, director of An Huy Company, paid close attention to the unofficial market. Certain conventional goods, people, and enterprises engage in this channel. As a result, Mr. Huy emphasized that the agriculture industry's orientations and policies must help farmers in order to prevent getting into a scenario where a crop is harvested but the price is low.

"China and Vietnam have facilitated commerce. The issue is how to align the rules on both sides in order to achieve commodity production "As Mr. Huy said.

According to the company owner, called "banana king," the construction of a center focused on accountability in a broad market is critical and should be adopted immediately to assist firms. Additionally, he petitioned the 970 Agricultural Connection Forum to retain communication channels for companies.

Ms. Dinh Thi Phuong Khanh, Deputy Director of the Long An Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that the province has recognized the need to standardize the raw material area and database in order to keep up with the trend of increasing standards for quality and food safety since 2015.

Long An now has 217 planting area codes, 69 of which are for China. The province supports the establishment of a traceable raw material supply chain that is linked to the obligations of individuals and corporations.

"Local professional agencies continue to encounter several challenges in controlling and organizing local farmers' agricultural practices," Ms. Khanh said.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Formulation has advised the Long An provincial People's Committee on the development of a set of rules consistent with Decrees 248 & 249. Ms. Khanh said unequivocally that Long An would fundamentally alter public perceptions of the Chinese market. The province has acquired information on 26 firms in the region.

With dragon fruit as the primary export commodity, Long An requested that the Plant Protection Department conduct many direct training sessions and provide drawings to enterprises from now until the end of the year. Additionally, Ms. Khanh wishes for all stakeholders, including border gates, partner firms, and Chinese management authorities, to maintain complete transparency.

Mr. Thang Thanh Vy, Chairman of Guangxi's Pingxiang International Fruit Association, said that Vietnamese fruits are presently 100% examined before entering China. This is in contrast to fruits imported from Thailand, where just 30% are regulated. Mr. Thang believed that by hosting the 970 Agricultural Connection Forum, Vietnamese enterprises would pay more attention to the traceability and packaging phases, so speeding up the trade process.