Webinar – Great opportunities for fruit and vegetable importers after EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement
The EVFTA (EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement) came into effect on 1 August 2020. The Vietnamese Embassy is therefore organizing a webinar and matchmaking activity on September 29, 2020 to draw attention to the export opportunities for Vietnamese fruit and vegetables within the Dutch fresh produce trade. We asked Mr. Nguyen Hai Tinh of the Trade Office of the Vietnamese Embassy in the Netherlands some questions about the potential of Vietnamese fruit and vegetables on the Dutch market. “Thanks to the EVFTA, the import tax of 94% of Vietnamese fruit and vegetables was immediately reduced to 0% as of August 1, which increases the competitiveness of European fruit and vegetable trading companies when they import from Vietnam!”
When asked about the advantage of trading with Vietnam compared to other Asian countries, Hai Tinh Nguyen replies that, in addition to the reduction of the import tax to 0%, the horticulture and fruit tree industry is one of the most promising pillars of the Vietnamese economy. “According to experts, Vietnam has the potential to become one of the major fruit exporters for the EU and the world. Vietnam has an area of more than 1 million hectares of fruit trees. In total, the country harvests more than 11 million tons of fruit.”
“Vietnamese growers are increasingly applying cultivation to food safety and hygiene, according to GlobalGAP standards. Exporters know how to improve the technology of preserving fruit and vegetables for export to distant markets such as the EU and the US. Vietnamese vegetables in particular and fruits have a typical taste and a unique taste compared to other countries in the region, “continued Mr Hai Tinh Nguyen.
According to him, the following 13 Vietnamese fruit and vegetable products are very interesting for export.
- Dragon fruit (55,419 hectares), of which almost 50,000 hectares are harvested. Total harvest 1,100,000 tons. Export in fresh fruit, dried slices or square pieces.
- Mango (acreage of approximately 100,000 hectares in South Vietnam with a production of almost 900,000 tons). 13th mango producer in the world. Export fresh, dried and preserved.
- Longan (70,000 hectares, evenly distributed over South and North Vietnam). Production of 700,000 tons per year. Export of both fresh and dried longan.
- Pomelo (44,000 hectares / production 370,000 tons). Production mainly in South Vietnam. The most famous variety is the Da Xanh pomelo. Export fresh, peeled and frozen.
- Rambutan (24,000 hectares, 150,000 tons per year). Cultivation in South Vietnam. Export fresh, canned and frozen.
- Mangosteen (7,200 hectares / 31,000 tons per year). Grows mainly in South Vietnam. Export for the fresh market
- Jackfruit (17,000 hectares / 290,000 tons per year). Export fresh and dried.
- Sterappel (4,700 hectares / 48,000 tons per year). Cultivation in South Vietnam. Export fresh (with air freight) and frozen (via sea freight).
- Lychee (60,000 hectares / 350,000 tons per year). Cultivation in North Vietnam. Third producer in the world. Export fresh, preserved, frozen and dried.
- Passion fruit (10,000 hectares / 500,000 tons per year). Export fresh, juice, frozen)
- Coconut (175,000 hectares). 7th place out of 93 producing countries in the world. Export freshly peeled, canned, coconut water, grated.)
- Pineapple (40,000 hectares / 500,000 tons per year). 10th producer in the world. Export fresh, canned, frozen and in pieces).
- Lemons (23,000 hectares / 290,000 tons per year). Grows mainly in South Vietnam. Export mainly for fresh market.
- Purple sweet potatoes: 300,000 tons per year.
Webinar
The webinar consists of two parts.
First of all, there is an information section, in which fruit and vegetable importers are informed about the opportunities of Vietnamese fruit and vegetables by government officials, the Dutch embassy, the Dutch business association in Vietnam and the Vietnam Logistics Association. This includes the EVFTA benefits, the fruit and vegetable sector in Vietnam, practical tips about doing business in Vietnam, the bilateral strategic cooperation in the field of sustainable agriculture and food security, the transport route between the Vietnamese (air) ports and the port of Rotterdam and Schiphol etc. Through the webinar, companies are introduced to the Vietnamese business environment and practical experiences of the Dutch Business Association in Vietnam, which offers support to Dutch companies that do business in Vietnam. There is also plenty of time to ask questions to the experts and officials present.
The second part of the program consists of a matchmaking where fruit and vegetable importers can meet reliable fruit and vegetable suppliers and processors, organized by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency. Each Dutch importer has the opportunity to meet at least three Vietnamese suppliers / exporters separately online. The names and contacts of the importers are stored by Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and can be promoted to the Vietnamese companies if desired.
