Foreign traders look to import more Vietnam farm produce

HCMC – Traders from France, Japan, Spain, China, and South Korea, among others, expressed interest in importing Vietnamese farm produce at the Vietnam International Food Exhibition 2017 (Vietnam Foodexpo 2017) that kicked off in HCMC on November 15.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Bertrand Lortholary said France has imported Vietnamese seafood and herbs that are very much sought after in France. The country is seeking to import other agricultural products like coffee and cocoa from Vietnam.

In addition to fresh products, French companies will import Vietnamese materials to produce high-quality food. Marou chocolate, which is made from Vietnamese cocoa, has become popular in France.

On the occasion of Vietnam Foodexpo 2017, French leaders, companies and associations have worked with Vietnamese partners to boost imports of Vietnamese farm produce, according to Bruno Dupont, chairman of the French Fruit Producers Association.

Meanwhile, Hidekatsu Ishikawa, director of Tokyo-based Vient Co. Ltd., said his company imported 2,000 tons of banana from Vietnam in 2016, and 50 tons of Vietnamese mango and red dragon fruit in the year to date, adding that the company has plans to import cashew nuts from Vietnam.

At the expo, foreign enterprises also introduced their products to Vietnamese consumers. Particularly, the French pavilion displayed French vegetables, ham and dairy products.

Data of the French Consulate General in HCMC shows that Vietnam imports about 10 tons of French ham a year. The country also imported 3,000 tons of French apples between August 2016 and March 2017.

Jointly organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center (SECC) in HCMC’s District 7 from November 15 to 18, Vietnam Foodexpo 2017 features 600 booths of 450 foreign and domestic businesses.

On display are a variety of products like vegetables, fruits, seafood, beverages, spices, confectionary, dairy products, canned food, and machinery for the food industry.

According to French Consul General in HCMC Vincent Floreani, France is a special participant at Vietnam Foodexpo 2017, with a 360-square-meter pavilion introducing French cuisine, agricultural products and food processing machines.

See more: Conditions of Setting up Import and Export Company in Vietnam

Source: The Saigon Times