TH Milk Joint Stock Company has become the first Vietnamese firm to receive approval from the General Administration of Customs of China to export dairy products to the Chinese market.

Illustrative image (Source: VietnamPlus)

According to the Vietnamese Embassy in China, China has granted transaction codes to TH Milk’s sterilized and modified milk products.

The Chinese General Administration of Customs will continue considering applications from other Vietnamese companies, said the embassy.

Earlier on October 16, the General Administration of Customs of China issued an announcement granting official permission to the import of Vietnamese dairy products and detailing requirements for quarantine and quality checks of those products.

It stated that Vietnamese milk products exported to the Chinese market must meet the relevant testing requirements, including the Food Safety Law and the Law on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine of China, the protocol between the two countries, and other regulations in the supervision, quarantine and import and export of dairy products.

The dairy products allowed into China include processed foods where the main ingredient is processed cow's milk, pasteurised milk, sterilised milk, prepared milk, condensed milk, powdered milk, formula milk and others, it elaborated.

Chinese authorities also require Vietnamese dairy exporters to obtain approval from Vietnamese authorities and to carry out registration procedures with the General Administration of Customs of China. After that, dairy products must undergo China’s quarantine assessments to obtain a quarantine permit before being officially exported to the Chinese market.

In addition, China also makes specific requirements on hygiene certificates, packaging and brand awareness, and storage and transportation, among others.

Nguyen Van Long, Vice Director of the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that five Vietnamese firms have submitted dossiers to get permission to export milk to China. Currently, Vietnam has 18 companies registered to sell dairy products to 17 foreign markets.

Vietnam aims to increase dairy export revenue to China from 120 million USD to 300 million USD in 2020.