The 1.4 billion consumer market 'awaits' for fresh Vietnamese coconuts

Betrimex signed a memorandum of understanding to supply fresh coconuts to the Chinese market

On September 27th, in Guangzhou, China, within the framework of the Trade Promotion Program at the Guangzhou International Fruit and Vegetable Industry Exhibition, under the introduction of the Vietnam Coconut Association, Bến Tre Import-Export Joint Stock Company (Betrimex) — representing Vietnam's coconut industry — signed strategic memorandums of understanding with leading organizations and associations in China's fruit and coconut sectors.

This marks a significant milestone, opening up vast opportunities for fresh Vietnamese coconuts to conquer the billion-people market.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Mr. Nguyễn Duy Phú, Representative of Vietnam's Trade Office in Guangzhou; Ms. Nguyễn Thị Kim Thanh, President of the Vietnam Coconut Association; Mr. Zhiqiang Guan, Vice Chairman of Jiangnan-Guangzhou Fruit Import Association; and Mr. Guo Refn, President of the Hainan Coconut Association.

This event not only affirms Betrimex's pioneering role and proactive spirit in promoting the export of fresh coconuts but also reflects the company's determination to seize golden opportunities, just over a month after Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and China’s General Administration of Customs officially signed three crucial protocols on the export of agricultural products to the Chinese market, including fresh coconuts.

According to the strategic cooperation agreement, Betrimex will be the exclusive partner of the Jiangnan-Guangzhou Fruit Import Association in supplying and importing fresh coconuts into the Guangzhou market in China.

Both parties have committed to closely collaborate to ensure a stable supply and that product quality meets export standards.

In addition, they will jointly implement trade promotion, marketing, and communication activities to enhance brand awareness and expand the market share for Vietnamese fresh coconuts, not only in Guangzhou but across the entire Chinese market.

According to the Vietnam Coconut Association, with the signing of the protocol allowing official export of fresh coconuts to China, the export revenue of fresh coconuts this year is forecasted to reach 250 million USD, accounting for 25% of the total export value of the coconut industry.

Mr. Cao Ba Dang Khoa, General Secretary of the Vietnam Coconut Association, shared that right after the protocol was issued, the Association made continuous efforts to connect Vietnamese businesses with Chinese partners.

China is currently the main market, receiving over 60% of Thailand's coconut production. The entry of fresh Vietnamese coconuts will create an exciting competition, requiring businesses to particularly focus on product quality to win customers' trust.

"Only by doing so can we turn these memorandums of understanding into real value, bringing long-term benefits to Vietnam's coconut industry," Mr. Khoa emphasized.

As the leading company in Vietnam’s coconut industry, Ms. Tran Que Trang, CEO of Betrimex, shared that exporting fresh coconuts to China is part of Betrimex’s long-term strategy. The company proactively prepared as soon as the protocol was still under negotiation, from building high-standard raw material areas to ensuring compliance with the strict export standards of the billion-person market.

"The promotion and search for potential partners have been diligently carried out by Betrimex in cooperation with the Vietnam Coconut Association for over a year now. 

We are confident that with years of experience in the Chinese market and strong support from the Jiangnan-Guangzhou Fruit Import Association, fresh Vietnamese coconuts will pave the way for deeper penetration into this vast market, step by step realizing the goal of bringing national agricultural products to the global stage.

With our experience and understanding of the billion-person market, we are actively creating new growth opportunities for the industry," said Betrimex CEO Tran Que Trang.

Previously, Betrimex’s deeply processed products such as coconut water, coconut milk, coconut cream, and coconut oil had already won over consumers in the 1.4 billion-person market.

Betrimex is also the only coconut company in Vietnam to achieve China Organic certification with its high-quality coconut farming areas.

The Hainan Coconut Association Information Center has been established in Vietnam

During the working session, Betrimex, the Vietnam Coconut Association, and the Hainan Coconut Association (China) signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the Hainan Coconut Association Information Center in Vietnam.

This center will serve as an information bridge regarding coconut prices, providing Chinese traders with data on coconut prices in Vietnam and, conversely, allowing Vietnamese businesses to stay updated on coconut product prices in the Chinese market.

This cooperation aims to build sustainable supply chains, creating a transparent and safe business environment for the coconut industries of both countries.

According to the Hainan Coconut Association, China is currently the largest consumer and importer of coconut products in the world. Data shows that from 2018 to 2023, the import volume of coconut products into China has increased significantly, with dried coconuts rising by 106%, frozen coconut milk by 378%, and fresh coconuts by 120%.

The rapid growth of China’s coconut industry has led to a growing demand for coconut products. Previously, the sector faced the challenge of "rapid domestic market demand growth but traditional supply chains failing to meet it." This issue is gradually being addressed through the establishment of purchasing links with countries like Vietnam.

With the signing of these memorandums of understanding and the proactive efforts of coconut businesses, along with the support of the Vietnam Coconut Association and the guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, there are high hopes for new advancements in Vietnam's coconut industry in the near future.

According to the Plant Protection Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, fresh coconuts exported from Vietnam to China must comply with plant quarantine regulations and food safety standards related to hygiene in China, and they must not be contaminated with any plant quarantine pests of concern to the Chinese side.

Before export, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development must submit to the General Administration of Customs of China a list of registered planting areas and packaging facilities for approval. This list will be updated regularly.

On the other hand, prior to export, plant quarantine officials will conduct plant quarantine inspections and take samples of 2%. In the first two years, if no violations of plant quarantine regulations are detected, the sampling rate will be reduced to 1%.