Egg products from Vietnam may soon be officially imported into Singapore - photo: https://baochinhphu.vn

According to Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam, Singapore will adopt a phased approach to officially import eggs and poultry meat from Vietnam.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is actively working to recognize poultry and egg products from Vietnam for export to Singapore, said Singaporean Ambassador Jaya Ratnam.

According to the Ambassador, Singapore will adopt a phased approach to achieve this recognition. The process will begin with an initial assessment of farms and facilities to establish mutual understanding and trust, before gradually expanding to include more suppliers and product categories.

"Under this approach, heat-processed products will be approved in the first phase, followed by egg products in the second phase and finally frozen poultry products in the third phase," said Ambassador Ratnam.

The Ambassador noted steady progress in food safety cooperation between the two nations. In 2024, in collaboration with Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the SFA conducted two assessment visits to the provinces of Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, and Ha Nam.

During these visits, the SFA found that heat-processed poultry products from C.P. Group in Binh Phuoc had met the necessary criteria for export, with the final stages of approval currently underway. Additionally, the SFA is in discussions with Masan Corporation in Ha Nam to facilitate egg imports during the second phase, and is exploring potential partnerships with other Vietnamese farms and manufacturers.

Additionally, the Ambassador emphasized Singaporean companies' interest in exporting food products to Vietnam. Mr. Ratnam also expressed satisfaction with the two countries’ progress in overcoming technical trade barriers, and hoped that both nations will continue working towards mutual certification of food products.

Recognizing the importance of strengthening bilateral trade, the ambassador voiced support for establishing an agricultural trade task force to ensure long-term, sustainable cooperation. Singapore has designated the SFA as its lead agency and is awaiting Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to appoint its counterpart.

The Ambassador said that the formation of the agricultural trade task force would be the first step toward unifying the two countries' food safety standards. Mr. Ratnam hoped that both nations would create favorable conditions for each other's food safety certification process./.