Export of agricultural products: Can't use the same old path forever

DNHN - Solving the inputs-outputs conundrum for agricultural products will have a direct impact on the economy. This was also the primary topic discussed at the Government Portal's recent Online Seminar "How to reduce agricultural product congestion at the border gate: What is the essential solution?"

Mr Phan Van Chinh, Director of the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), stated during the seminar that while there was a situation of congestion at the border gate, this time was different because China implemented the With the "zero Covid" book, customs clearance is extremely limited. To eliminate, all levels of government are involved.

Ms Doan Thu Ha, Vice Chairman of the Lang Son Provincial People's Committee, stated that on March 4, 1,400 trucks were awaiting shipment at Lang Son, including 800 trucks carrying agricultural products. Lang Son has suspended the delivery of fresh fruit to the Lang Son border crossings until March 15. Between March 15 and April 20, approximately 2,000 trucks carrying agricultural products are expected to travel through Lang Son's border gates. The number of automobiles continues to grow as the primary season for agricultural items approaches.

Le Minh Hoan, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated: "When we alleviate congestion at the border gate, those issues resolve themselves without continuously addressing the source of the problem. Several municipalities have notified residents of the issue. Not taking items to the border gate is a top-down approach. Our economic system is still "opaque" in terms of supply and demand; it does not orbit; at times, it resembles a trading trip rather than a methodical collaboration connecting supply and demand "'. 

Mr Nguyen Thanh Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, stated that converting to the official mode of exporting agricultural products is a significant undertaking that takes time to complete because each way has its own distinct set of targets.According to Mr Mai Xuan Thanh, Deputy Director of the General Department of Customs, it is not denied that small-scale trade has contributed to promoting agriculture over the past time.In the long run, firms must be tightly managed, maintain a high standard of quality, and establish a reputation for signing regular supply contracts to expand their business.

Mr Phan Van Chinh said that setting up transhipment zones for Chinese customers to see the goods (if necessary), then deliver the goods. The transit points not only clear customs but can also collect a selection of packaging according to the partners’ standards.

“We also need to separate jobs: what ministries and central branches do, what local jobs do, what trade associations do. We must have a mechanism to provide additional support in the process of one side being torn, the other side still having the benefits of unofficial export or open border with difficulties for official export. I think every change is difficult, but if we won’t change, it will be even more difficult," Minister Le Minh Hoan said.

According to the Minister, the commodity industry's logistical infrastructure system must be restructured from the manufacturing stage to the market. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has requested approval from the Prime Minister for Quang Ninh province to become the country's first centre for connecting agricultural products for export administered by the province and for socializing private firms. Lang Son province will follow Quang Ninh.

At this Center, the partner can bring the customs clearance and quarantine department, that is, check once on this site and then the car runs all the way, can go further inland depending on the relationship of the traders of the two sides. If there is a case of congestion, we pack, prepare and temporarily store for a while to avoid agricultural products lying in containers with many risks. When an epidemic occurs, it is a "green zone" to prove that our agricultural products meet the standards of our partners' disease prevention regulations.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has also submitted to the Prime Minister a policy to establish an Agricultural Product Connection Center in Can Tho and soon a Center in the Central Highlands region. These are the two regions that export agricultural products with a high proportion of the country and are exported to China.

However, the most important thing is to reorganize production, reorganize the industry ecosystem, to meet the needs of standardizing each type of market such as China, EU, Korea, Japan, etc.

According to the Minister, it is critical to recognize that we are not "merely a market," but must compete with other countries exporting similar agricultural products to China. China is also capable of cultivating our imported agricultural items.

PV