Vietnam imports 500,000 tons of corn and corn cob powder from the United States

On August 27 (local time), a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), led by Deputy Minister Hoang Trung, engaged in an open dialogue with the US-ASEAN Business Council as part of its ongoing work program in the United States.

Representatives from a variety of US corporations and companies, including those involved in plant protection, livestock, veterinary medicine, production, trade, and crop development, attended the dialogue.

During the discussion, the Deputy Minister addressed the relevant Vietnamese regulations and policies, as well as the issues that have arisen in agricultural, forestry, and fishery (AFF) trade relations between Vietnam and the United States, candidly and openly. He confirmed that Vietnam is consistently prepared to engage in dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders to identify suitable solutions that are consistent with Vietnamese law and international obligations. Additionally, Vietnam is currently considering regulatory modifications to accommodate new developments in agricultural production.

The Deputy Minister expressed his profound appreciation for the recent activities and function of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), observing that it has established a platform for dialogue with regulatory agencies and has connected businesses from both countries. This has facilitated the establishment of mutual trust and the reinforcement of cooperative relationships in the fields of agriculture and rural development. He supported USABC's proposal to renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties and expressed optimism that this MoU would facilitate the expansion of cooperative relations to encompass areas such as the robust application of digital technologies and advanced science in agricultural production, emission reduction, and investment in smart agriculture.

Deputy Minister Hoang Trung observed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Cargill US and Khai Anh Binh Thuan Company (Vietnam) at the conclusion of the dialogue. The MoU authorizes the importation of 500,000 tons of maize and corn cob powder for domestic animal feed production. This is a practical exercise that is designed to diversify the import market for raw materials used in Vietnam's animal feed production and balance the bilateral commerce between the United States and Vietnam.

Khai Anh Binh Thuan Company is a prominent enterprise in Vietnam that supplies agricultural raw materials and feed additives, with a supply volume of 4.2 million tons annually.

The CropLife organization convened a meeting with Deputy Minister Hoang Trung and his delegation on the same day. The Deputy Minister and CropLife leaders engaged in a comprehensive discussion regarding Vietnam's legal policies and regulations regarding the registration of biological plant protection products and novel crop varieties during the meeting. Additionally, they investigated the potential for collaboration in the application of advanced scientific research initiatives and accomplishments to agricultural production, to address climate change and guarantee food security.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) leadership greatly valued CropLife’s responsible and effective collaboration with the agricultural sector, particularly in the promotion of the adoption of new crop varieties with enhanced traits. They are dedicated to continuing to provide CropLife with support in its business and production activities in Vietnam.

CropLife has committed to enhancing its participation in the sectoral working groups of the Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture in Vietnam (PSAV) and to continuing its support of MARD in the development and finalization of legal frameworks and technical standards for the testing and application of genetically modified crops in production and business in Vietnam. In addition, CropLife is dedicated to the establishment of models and the promotion of technical advancements in new crop varieties and next-generation plant protection products in a variety of places.