The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and trade associations need to devise solutions together to address the congestion of farm produce at border gates, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan has said. 

He made the remark during a seminar held virtually on March 4.

The minister underlined that progress and actions in a clear and concerted manner by management agencies of the State and localities are required, along with the involvement of trade associations and farm produce exporters to the Chinese market.

Since the start of this year, the General Administration of Customs of China has implemented new regulations on the importation of foodstuff and food safety management, said Director General of the MoIT’s Agency of Foreign Trade Phan Van Chinh. Many small- and medium-sized enterprises of Vietnam in farm produce export have yet to be aware of the regulations.

He highlighted the role of trade associations in linking with State management agencies in policy consultations and dissemination.

They also help farmers restructure the agricultural sector and markets, Minister Hoan said.

Meanwhile, firms are advised to actively seek market information and study regulations of each market. 

Vice Chairwoman of the Lang Son People’s Committee Doan Thu Ha said about 1,400 cargo trucks, of them 800 carrying farm produce, are waiting at the province’s border gates. Many others are on the way although the province has halted the transport of fresh fruits to its border gates until mid-March.

The number may hit 2,000 between March 15 and April 20 and is likely to increase as harvest time approaches, Ha said.

Chinh said that efforts made by the Government, ministries and sectors, as well as localities have helped handle customs clearance for 15,000 trucks since January 25, and all 13 border gates have reopened to facilitate trade./.