Many changes in exporting fresh bananas to Chinese market

​The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and the General Department of Customs of China have just signed a Protocol on the export of fresh bananas from Vietnam to China. Thus, from farmers to packers and exporters, they must standardize production processes and operate in accordance with the provisions of the Protocol to be eligible to export to this market.

Traders pack bananas for export at Dinh Quan district. 

The official export of fresh bananas to this large consumer market is expected to boost exports and limit risks for this item.

There is still a lot of potential for fresh bananas

 
According to statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the country's banana production is currently about 2.1 million tons/year. In 2021, bananas are Vietnam's third largest export fruit, after dragon fruit and mango. In 2022, the export of this item will continue to increase rapidly. According to data from the General Department of Customs, in the first nine months of 2022, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export value reached USD 2.45 billion, down 11% over the same period in 2021. However, the export of fresh bananas increased sharply with an export value of USD 237 million, up more than 28% over the same period last year and ranked 2nd in the position of fresh fruit exports of Vietnam.

It is forecasted that China has a need to import bananas of USD 1 billion, of which the Philippines accounts for 50%, Cambodia 20%, and Vietnam only 16%. Experts say that the recently signed Protocol will bring significant growth for Vietnamese bananas to the Chinese market.

 Thus, the export of fresh and processed bananas, especially to the Chinese market, is still very potential because this fruit can be harvested all year round. According to some traders and exporters of fresh bananas, China is increasing its import of bananas from the Vietnamese market because the two neighboring countries are very convenient in terms of geographical location. Besides, China's banana area has decreased due to the cost of agricultural inputs, land rental and labor costs increased while the disease appeared, making this crop less efficient.

 Sharing about the story of exporting fresh bananas to the Chinese market, Mr. Ly Minh Hung, Director of Thanh Binh Cooperative (Thanh Binh commune, Trang Bom district), which has done well in making planting area codes to meet requirements According to export standards to the Chinese market, China has always been a large export market of Vietnam in terms of fresh fruits and vegetables. In the most difficult period of export due to high transportation costs, this adjacent market is even more important. However, this is no longer an easy market because the strict application of new regulations from planting to packaging requires both farmers and exporters to change their production thinking.

 Had to change a lot about the production and packaging process

The Protocol on the export of fresh bananas from Vietnam to China will be in force for 5 years. According to the signed content, fresh bananas exported from Vietnam to China must comply with the phytosanitary requirements specified in the Protocol and not be contaminated with any phytosanitary objects of interest to the Chinese side. When fresh bananas arrive at the Chinese border gate, China Customs will check the relevant documents and records and complete the quarantine inspection process.

 All banana growing areas and packing facilities exported to China must be registered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and approved by both the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the General Administration of Customs of China. Registration information includes names, addresses and codes so that when any product is found that does not comply with the requirements of the protocol, it can be accurately traced.

 Under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, all growing areas registered for export to China must develop a quality management and traceability system, and apply good agricultural practices (GAP); planting area managers must implement an integrated pest management program (IPM); organizes planting area monitoring activities for plant quarantine subjects that China is interested in throughout the year...

 During the first 2 years from the date of entry into force of the Protocol, staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development must conduct phytosanitary inspection, taking 2% samples. Within 2 years, if no phytosanitary violations are detected, the sampling rate will be reduced to 1%.

 The Protocol specifies cases in which exports to China are refused. Accordingly, bananas of unapproved growing areas and packing facilities, or ripe bananas, will be refused import. In case of detecting plant quarantine objects or having soil and plant residues, the consignment will be returned or destroyed or handled. In the event that the shipment is found to be inconsistent with China's national food safety standards, the shipment will not be allowed to be imported or destroyed. The General Administration of Customs of China will notify the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development if it finds non-compliance with the requirements and suspend the import of bananas from the relevant growing areas and packing facilities.

Currently, the banana area in the country is about 154,000 hectares, with an output of more than 2.3 million tons. In which, Dong Nai is in the top of the country in terms of this crop area with nearly 13.4 thousand hectares, the output is about 112.4 thousand tons/year. The whole province has 9 banana growing areas with an area of more than 4.3 thousand hectares, which are granted codes of planting areas for export to the Chinese market.