'Vietnamese rice is indispensable for every delectable Mongolian meal'

Both countries have outstanding advantages in agriculture

On the morning of November 20th, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan met with Mr. Jadamba Enkhbayar, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia, Chairman of the Mongolian Subcommittee in the Vietnam-Mongolia Intergovernmental Committee.

The Vietnam-Mongolia relationship has seen strong development over the past 70 years. The two countries established the Vietnam-Mongolia Intergovernmental Committee and have held 18 sessions from 1979 to the present (the 19th session will be held from November 18 to 23, 2024, in Hanoi), outlining numerous directions and measures to promote cooperation in various fields.

Minister Le Minh Hoan shared that he had extended invitations to several businesses from both countries, including Mongolian logistics companies, to visit Vietnam and participate in the Vietnam-Mongolia Business Connectivity Forum, the Mongolian Agricultural Products Exhibition and the 24th International AgroViet 2024 Exhibition. This initiative aims to provide a platform for businesses from both nations to become acquainted with one another, exchange valuable experiences, and explore potential new cooperation opportunities. The focus will be on advancing agricultural trade and enhancing agricultural ties between Vietnam and Mongolia.

On the Mongolian side, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, Jadamba Enkhbayar, expressed the view that Vietnam and Mongolia should concentrate on improving the investment environment by signing an agreement to encourage and protect investments between the two countries. In addition, he highlighted the importance of addressing key obstacles in order to strengthen and promote cooperation in various promising sectors, such as transportation (aviation, railways and maritime), tourism and agriculture.

"Regarding the agricultural sector, we are eager to exchange more detailed information about development policies and enhance the legal environment for agricultural exports.

In addition, the Joint Declaration on establishing a Comprehensive Partnership between Vietnam and Mongolia has outlined the direction and future of the bilateral relationship. This declaration lays the groundwork for the implementation of various initiatives, which will play a crucial role in promoting practical and effective cooperation in sectors that align with the unique potential and strengths of each country", expressed Mr. Jadamba Enkhbayar.

Vietnam and Mongolia both possess significant advantages in the agricultural sector. Vietnam is one of the leading exporters in the world of key products such as rice, coffee, seafood and tropical fruits, which are in high demand in international markets.

On the other hand, Mongolia is well-known for its high-quality beef, mutton and dairy products, which are prized in various markets for their exceptional quality and natural production methods. These two sectors not only have the potential to complement each other but also to collaborate in ways that can leverage their respective strengths. This cooperation could meet the growing demands of the global market, creating new opportunities for both Vietnam and Mongolia in international trade.

Vietnamese agricultural products are highly favored in the Mongolian market

Concerning the export of frozen mutton and goat meat from Mongolia to Vietnam, Nguyen Van Long, the Director General of the Department of Animal Health, explained that his department has taken the initiative to actively collaborate and communicate with Mongolian veterinary authorities. They have made clear the specific requirements needed to assist Mongolian businesses in understanding and complying with the regulations of Vietnam, ensuring they meet all necessary standards for export.

According to the document sent by the Mongolian Embassy, there are 11 Mongolian companies that are interested in exporting to Vietnam. However, only two of these companies have submitted their application documents. Despite the efforts and interest from Vietnamese authorities to facilitate the process, the Director General emphasized the importance of the Mongolian General Department of Veterinary Services taking further steps to support and guide these businesses. He urged them to ensure that the businesses are properly assisted in obtaining the necessary licenses, which will allow them to begin exporting their products to Vietnam as soon as possible.

Concerning the 20-ton shipment of frozen goat meat from the Mongolian company "Technic House LLC", which is currently facing challenges with the import procedure at Haiphong Port, the company is required to complete its registration in accordance with Vietnam's legal regulations. The Department of Animal Health has confirmed that it will make every effort to review and issue the necessary permits as quickly as possible, ideally within November. However, Director General Nguyen Van Long has also urged Mongolian authorities to guide businesses that have not yet shipped their products to Vietnamese ports to wait until they receive official documentation from the Department of Animal Health. This is to prevent any unnecessary delays or additional storage fees at the port, which could lead to financial burdens for the businesses involved.

In the case of the import permit for horse bone extract powder from Mongolia (from the Monopole factory) into Vietnam, Vietnamese authorities have already agreed to permit the export and import of this product starting in November. The Department of Animal Health further indicated that it would issue a formal document outlining the requirements for preparing the necessary documentation for exporting animal protein powder from Mongolia to Vietnam.

According to Nguyen Van Long, the Director of the Department of Animal Health, the veterinary authorities of both Vietnam and Mongolia have engaged in discussions and reached an agreement to allow the export of processed chicken, fresh chicken, eggs, veterinary medicines, and animal vaccines from Vietnam to Mongolia. As a result, Vietnam has expressed its hope that the Mongolian veterinary authorities will provide the necessary support and detailed guidance to help Vietnamese businesses navigate the process and ensure they comply with all regulations.

Furthermore, the veterinary agencies of both countries have made a commitment to actively promote the handling and export of products from both nations, with a goal to facilitate these exports by 2024.

Responding to the feedback from the Vietnamese side, Mr. Jadamba Enkhbayar affirmed that Vietnamese agricultural products are rapidly gaining popularity and are in high demand in the Mongolian market. He reassured that Mongolia is fully committed to creating favorable conditions and providing comprehensive support to ensure that Vietnamese agricultural products are not only available but widely promoted and distributed throughout the Mongolian market.

“Mongolia is ready to allow the import of Vietnamese chicken. Currently, 2.000 tons of Vietnamese chicken have been successfully imported and cleared through customs to the Mongolian market.

Mongolian goat meat and Vietnamese rice are two agricultural products that are highly favored and have great potential for excellent combination. Vietnamese rice is an essential part of every Mongolian meal. Therefore, I believe this will be an opportunity for the people of both countries to experience this wonderful combination”, said Minister Jadamba Enkhbayar.

On the morning of the same day, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development hosted the Vietnam-Mongolia Agricultural Products Promotion Forum. This forum is part of a series of events celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Mongolia, marking a significant milestone in the two countries' long-standing partnership.

According to Mr. Tran Cong Thang, the Director of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, the forum acts as a crucial platform for businesses from both nations to meet, exchange valuable information, and explore potential opportunities for collaboration. Furthermore, this event serves as an avenue for both governments to share and promote their preferential policies and support mechanisms, which aim to help businesses more effectively access and navigate each other's markets.

During the forum, Bulgan Makh Market from Mongolia and Minh Bach TRF Food Company from Vietnam took the opportunity to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on collaboration, with the aim of distributing Mongolian goat and sheep meat in the Vietnamese market.

Mongolian goat and sheep meat is known for its stable supply and high quality, thanks to the natural breeding methods used in the country. In addition to importing meat from Mongolia, representatives from Minh Bach TRF Food Company believe that promoting trade between the two sides will also create an opportunity for Vietnam to learn from and apply Mongolian livestock breeding techniques. This could help increase both the quantity and quality of goat and sheep products in Vietnam.

Representatives from Minh Bach TRF Food Company further shared that the production of goat and sheep meat in Vietnam reached approximately 55.000 tons in 2023, which accounts for only about 0.7% of the total meat consumption in the country. With the increasing cultural integration and changing food consumption trends, the current supply of goat and sheep meat is insufficient to meet the growing demand of Vietnamese consumers.