The Mekong Delta province of An Giang on September 22 held a ceremony to announce the export of the first shipment of fragrant rice Jasmine 85 to the European Union under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

An Giang has announced the export of 126 tonnes of fragrant rice
Jasmine 85 to the European Union under the EVFTA. (Photo: VNA)

The batch, weighing 126 tonnes in total and packaged by An Giang-based Loc Troi Group, will be transported to the EU later this month. This is the first rice shipment to enjoy the preferential tariff of 0% under the EVFTA.

Addressing the launch ceremony, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Quoc Doanh noted that the EVFTA will open wide the door for Vietnamese farm produce to enter a huge market of more than 500 million consumers with GDP reaching US$15 trillion. 

To take advantage of this trade deal, Doanh said the agricultural sector will promote the restructuring of agricultural production, with a primary focus on strengthening a close link between cooperatives, businesses and farmers, while forming a closed production process from material growing to processing to ensure traceability and food safety.  

Marion Matinez, an official of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (Eurocham), said the EVFTA is a mutually beneficial agreement as it is one of the most comprehensive and ambitious free trade agreements ever concluded between the EU and a developing country. 

Under the EU agreed quota, Vietnam is able to export 80,000 tonnes of rice, including 30,000 tonnes of fragrant rice, to the EU market.

An Giang is noted for producing a variety of farm produce such as rice, tra (Pangasuis) fish, vegetables and fruits. The Mekong Delta province is the country’s second largest rice producer for domestic consumption and for exports. 

An Giang has so far exported rice to 39 countries and territories worldwide, with Asian markets making up nearly 80% of its export volume.