The US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has sent a letter to the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development regarding the US’ market opening for Vietnamese natural fresh coconuts.

According to the letter, the APHIS underscored the importance of market opening for the Vietnamese coconuts, as well as for local manufacturers, expressing its willingness to give top priority to complying with the requests made by the Vietnamese side.

The APHIS revealed that Vietnamese natural fresh dehusked coconuts fully meet the requirements set by the US side in terms of processed products and a negligible risk of spreading plant pests.

APHIS had previously completed updating its online database of agricultural products and finalising procedures to grant approval for the import of young Vietnamese coconuts,

The APHIS revealed that Vietnamese producers can start exporting natural fresh coconuts to the US immediately.

Most notably, the phytosanitary requirements for shipments will take place only at US ports of entry. Currently, the APHIS has notified the update to US Customs and Border Protection in a bid to avoid any delays in shipments at ports of entry.

Vietnam is home to approximately 200,000 hectares of land under coconut cultivation producing roughly two million tonnes of products. Most coconut farms are located in central coastal and Mekong Delta provinces. The country now ranks seventh in the world in terms of coconut production.

In August, a delegation from the General Department of China Customs also conducted a field inspection of the coconut growing areas and packaging facilities in Vietnam, to prepare for the signing of a protocol on coconut export between the two countries.  

Last year Vietnam earned US$900 million from coconut exports. The US’ market opening is anticipated to help coconuts swiftly become Vietnam's next billion-dollar export fruit.

Source: VOV