Vegetables, roots and fruits of Vietnam are considered to be open to the European Union (EU) from August 1, 2020 when the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) takes effect. Currently, the EU is the fourth export market for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables. EVFTA opens up great opportunities for Vietnam's vegetables, roots and fruits in the EU market, which is the largest import market in the world.

To seize this opportunity to widely promote the potentials and strengths of exports of Vietnamese vegetables, fruits, vegetables and connect Vietnamese suppliers with business partners who import, distribute and sell potential fruit wholesale and retail in the EU market in general and the Netherlands market in particular on September 29, 2020, the Trade Promotion Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade) cooperates with the European-American Market Department The Trade Office - Vietnam Embassy in the Netherlands and the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit) organizes an Online Conference on Vietnam - Netherlands Fruit, Vegetable and Vegetable Online Trade 2020.

The conference attracted the participation of 22 enterprises exporting Vietnamese vegetables, tubers and fruits and 10 importers of vegetables, roots and fruits to the Netherlands.

The market is in great demand 

Due to the impact of the Covid 19 epidemic, Vietnam's export of vegetables, tubers and fruits has encountered many difficulties in recent years. In the first 8 months of 2020, the export of vegetables and fruits is estimated at 2.26 billion USD, down 11.3% over the same period in 2019. It is forecasted that this year, fruit and vegetable exports may still decrease by about 10% compared to the same period in 2019. However, the export of vegetables, tubers and fruits to the EU is expected to flourish in the coming time. In August 2020, the export value of fruit and vegetable products from Vietnam to the EU was estimated at 14.7 million USD, up 25.2% over the previous month.

Speaking at the seminar, Mr. Vu Ba Phu - Director of the Trade Promotion Agency said that Vietnam currently ranks 5th in Asia in terms of fruit and vegetable output. Fruit, vegetable and fruit products of Vietnam are present in over 60 countries around the world. In particular, the brand name of EVFTA is bringing many new opportunities for enterprises of Vietnam and Netherlands.

According to Mr. Vu Ba Phu, the EU is a dynamic market, the biggest opportunities in the field of vegetable, fruit and vegetable trade are mainly concentrated in cooperation relationships with traders of Netherlands-the country with Import volume from developing countries has grown quite strongly in recent years. For a long time, the Netherlands has been considered as the gateway to the EU market, the leading transshipment place for vegetables, fruits and vegetables in Europe and the world.

Mr. Mathijs van den Broek, Member of the Executive Board, Dutch Business Association in Vietnam (DBAV) said that the EU is a market with a stable demand for vegetables and fruits (accounting for 45% of commercial value global vegetables and fruits). The EU's large market size and seasonal demand are an attractive market for suppliers in developing countries. However, EU importers often look for reliable suppliers in strategic areas that can supply fruits and vegetables to consumers at any time of the year. The exotic and tropical fruits will appeal to EU consumers. This will be a strength for exporters from countries with tropical climates including Vietnam.

The Netherlands is the largest importer of fruits and vegetables from Vietnam in the EU. Currently, more than 20% of fresh fruits and vegetables are supplied to Europe by developing countries to enter the EU through the Netherlands. From the port of Rotterdam, the main point of import, the Netherlands and international traders will distribute the product to many other European countries.

Need to produce in a safe direction

Despite being a potential fruit and vegetable import market, the amount of EU vegetables and fruits imported from Vietnam accounts for a very small proportion, only about 0.08% of the EU's imports. Among the group of fresh vegetables, tubers and fruits exported to the EU region, fruit always has the highest export turnover. The main export items to the EU are pineapple, dragon fruit, coconut rice, rambutan and mango ...

Mr. Vu Ba Phu said that the EU is a "fastidious" market, with very strict requirements with regulations on technical barriers, residues of plant protection drugs, banned substances ... Safe export is a must for businesses.

When exporting vegetables and fruits to the EU, if they violate food hygiene and safety, they will be returned goods to cause damage not only to enterprises but also to the Vietnamese fruit and vegetable industry. Therefore, safe production in the direction of GAP is a must.

In addition, deep processing will help make use of vegetables, tubers and fruits as raw materials for processing, thereby maximizing the value of harvested products, helping farmers increase more income by the products generated to be consumed completely.

In recent years, through trade promotion and technical assistance activities, import partners, wholesale distributors, retailers as well as people in many regions of Europe have seen differences from the modernization and renewal of the Vietnamese vegetable, fruit and fruit industry. Along with that, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable businesses are increasingly meeting the strict requirements and EU partners criteria to be able to supply high-value and high-quality products. good and safe for many of the top importers and premium distribution channels in many EU countries.

Therefore, participation in the Vietnam - Netherlands 2020 online vegetable, fruit and fruit trade conference is a good opportunity for businesses to access the market of Neitherland as well as the EU to boost the export turnover of vegetables, roots and fruits of Vietnam to this potential market. At the same time, contribution to help businesses in the fruit and vegetable industry to overcome the difficult period caused by the Covid-19 epidemic, it contributes to the development of sustainable commercial relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands - Mr. Vu Ba Phu said ../