Vietnamese fruit to penetrate US market
(VOV) - Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat has said the US is considering removing barriers against fruit to be imported from Vietnam.
Thanh nien news wire on July 25 quoted Phat, saying the agreement was reached during a July 24 meeting in Washington DC between US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsak and Vietnamese State President Truong Tan Sang who is paying an official visit to the US.
Phat, who is accompanying Sang during the visit, also attended the meeting.
Both sides agreed to increase cooperation in the application of science and technology in agricultural production, and climate change adaptation.
They concurred that they will work closely together to address pending issues to facilitate the trade in Vietnamese farm produce.
The US announced that it will soon allow Vietnam to export some of its tropical fruit such as longans and litchis to its market. It will also consider other Vietnamese farm produce.
According to Minister Phat, Secretary Vilsak said he will work with relevant US agencies to examine issues of Vietnam concern, including the import of its Tra (Pangasius) fish, shrimp and bee honey.
Both sides agreed to accelerate current negotiations of a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement to boost bilateral trade ties concerning farm produce.
“The signing of the agreement is of great significance for Vietnam, especially for the agricultural sector, because we need to stimulate domestic production and seek outlets for our products,” Phat told Thanh nien.
Vietnam is exporting dragon fruit and rambutans to the US, and it aims to earn US$1 billion from fruit and vegetable exports to the US this year.