The export of agricultural, forestry and fishery products in 2021 will increase to a record high with a turnover of nearly 49 billion USD. However, this export figure does not mean sustainable market development, Vietnamese agricultural products are still struggling with the question when will the output “fluctuating” stop?
From the Chinese “bottleneck”
The production and export of agricultural products in recent years have continuously set new records, especially in 2021 while many industries are facing difficulties due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, the production and export of agricultural products are more and more confirmed. supporting role in the economy.
However, those export figures do not mean sustainable market development, Vietnamese agricultural products are still struggling with the question: When will the output “fluctuating” stop?
Right from the early days of 2022, thousands of container trucks carrying agricultural products exported to China (mainly dragon fruits) were stuck, and the damage to both farmers and businesses could not be calculated. Not stopping there, many other agricultural products with large output such as jackfruit, banana, mango, pomelo… also face the risk of being difficult to consume.
Mr. Nguyen Khac Huy, Director of Hoang Phat Fruit Company shared, China is the main export market of many Vietnamese fruits such as dragon fruit, jackfruit, watermelon… but the general mentality of Vietnamese people is still considering this is an easy market, so it pays little attention to quality standards.
However, Chinese authorities have repeatedly warned Vietnam about exporting dragon fruits and agricultural products in general through official channels as well as meeting the requirements of planting area codes, base codes. packaging, traceability…
According to Mr. Nguyen Khac Huy, although many other markets are developed, China is still the largest market, suitable for many types of agricultural products and fruits of Vietnam.
Therefore, people and businesses need to meet the requirements set by the market, not the opposite, you must open the door unconditionally.
The agricultural sector and localities need to propagate and regularly update people and businesses with information about Chinese market standards and compliance recommendations to keep the market for a long time.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mai Xuan Thin, Director of the Red Dragon Company, analyzed that the export of fruits in general and dragon fruit in particular is currently facing two problems: the biohazard COVID-19 and the lack of empty containers as well as transportation costs.
For the COVID-19 control policy, it is necessary to activate the implementation of “Biohazard control practices, 5K implementation, gloves, rapid testing of the workforce in the value chain, rapid testing of finished products, selling finished products with the goal of not detecting the virus on the finished product or the packaging”.
Exporting agricultural products to China still faces many barriers. (Illustration: Vnecomy)
This is an urgent action to show the goodwill and serious control of farmers, packers, transporters and Vietnamese authorities with import partners.
Regarding transportation, Vietnam needs to actively connect with shipping lines, develop a plan to invite a fleet of refrigerated and frozen ships like mobile cold storage to serve both export and domestic market when necessary. because not only dragon fruit but also most fruits, vegetables and aquatic products for export use cold ships to ensure quality.
Mr. Le Thanh Tung, Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production, in the first quarter of 2022, the southern region’s fruit output is forecast to reach nearly 1.4 million tons, in addition to dragon fruit, there are also a large number of bananas and mangoes. , jackfruit, pomelo have large output to be consumed. The main market is still China, however, with the current situation, it is likely that the consumption will face difficulties.
Accordingly, the COVID-19 epidemic is still complicated, affecting domestic consumption and export.
In particular, the quality and traceability requirements of export markets are increasing, especially the Chinese market may increase quarantine measures, slow down the export progress, and cause congestion at the border gate. . Meanwhile, the domestic fruit processing capacity is still limited, mainly for exporting fresh fruit.
Come to change market thinking
Experts say that agricultural production and export of agricultural products must quickly adapt to the general laws of supply and demand as well as quality standards in order to effectively exploit markets in a sustainable way.
Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said that when there was a traffic jam to China, most agricultural products could only return to domestic consumption, but could not continue to move to other markets. due to failure to meet the standard.
This reflects the fact that farmers are rushing to plant in numbers and have not paid attention to universal standards of the global market and limited post-harvest preservation technology.
Meanwhile, even China, once considered the easiest market, has continuously raised standards and strictly controlled the quality of imported goods by tightening cross-border imports and accepting only imported products. Products have registered planting area codes, packing facility codes… but there is still a part of farmers who can’t update information or keep the mindset of selling anything.
According to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, the cause of this situation comes from small-scale farming, lack of connection. In fact, households participating in production cooperatives according to the orders of enterprises are informed by the enterprises of the standards required by customers and the market, organized production according to the process and are provided with output.
Thanks to the stable quality, even if the market fluctuates, the associated production areas will not be affected too much. Joining cooperatives or linked chains also limits the situation of overproduction leading to excess production, having to be rescued and sold out.
The output of dragon fruit is difficult because export is stuck in traffic while the domestic market has not exploited its full potential. (Illustration: Tan Nam Chinh)
From the distributor’s perspective, Ms. Tran Kim Nga, External Relations Director of MM Mega Market, said that the production and consumption of Vietnamese agricultural products was still passive, with many agricultural products oversupply leading to a drop in prices. On the other hand, the consumption capacity of the domestic market is actually very large but has not been effectively exploited.
According to Ms. Nga, the mentality of many farmers and commercial enterprises still distinguishes between high-quality, first-class products for export, and second- and third-class products for the domestic market.
Meanwhile, the living standards and incomes of the domestic people are increasingly improving, the demand for high-quality products is increasing, and even domestic consumers accept to pay high prices for these products. Imported products because of good quality.
Then there is no reason for Vietnamese farmers or businesses not to take care of products for domestic consumption, but only when facing difficulties do they call for “rescue”.
Mr. Le Thanh Hoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Products Processing and Market Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, analyzed that Vietnam’s agricultural products and fruits have many opportunities to access the world market. through a series of free trade agreements.
Song also faces many challenges from increasingly strict regulations on food safety and animal and plant quarantine; natural disasters and epidemics…
To go far in a sustainable way, both farmers and businesses must increase their capacity and awareness to understand the technical regulations and phytosanitary requirements of the market.
Change the approach to food safety from final product safety inspection to monitoring at every stage in the entire production chain through the establishment of a cooperation mechanism between regulatory authorities and businesses – producer.
“Participants in the agricultural value chain need to quickly change their perception and conception from quantity to quality, focusing on product safety. Specifically, it is necessary to plan the organization of production and export processing based on the assessment and forecast of market demand.
Not only increasing production but creating high-quality products, specialty products, geographical indications, and organic products is the way to affirm the value and brand of Vietnamese agricultural products” – Mr. Hoa recommended.
According to VietnamBiz.vn
