Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Lê Quốc Doanh. — VNA/VNS Photo

WASHINGTON DC/ HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam and the US held huge potential for co-operation in farm produce trade, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Lê Quốc Doanh said.

The official made the remark while attending a meeting with representatives of US associations and firms in Washington DC on Monday, aiming to bolster bilateral farm produce trade and raising two-way trade growth.

Speaking at the event, Doanh said Việt Nam-US relations had thrived in recent years, particularly in agriculture and farm produce.

The US was the world leader in modern agricultural production, while Việt Nam was restructuring the sector to meet market demand, and boasts strengths in tropical products such as fruit and seafood.

Businesses should capitalise on their chance to bolster bilateral farm produce trade, Doanh said.

The US is currently the third biggest trade partner of Việt Nam, while Việt Nam has become the 27th largest export market for the US.

At the meeting, representatives of US sectors voiced their willingness to support and create optimal conditions for Vietnamese firms.

The two sides also exchanged information and pointed out difficulties, such as high costs of imported items and tariffs, and long transport times, among others.

To address these bottlenecks, firms were advised to thoroughly study markets and regulations, as well as frequently share information and participate in trade promotions held by the MARD and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to seek business partners.

They should also report problems and send recommendations to the two agricultural agencies to find solutions and create favourable conditions for agro-forestry-fishery trade between the countries.

Việt Nam had approved 460 US meat producers and 210 seafood enterprises to export to Việt Nam, said Doanh at a meeting with representatives of the USDA and US Trade Representative Office the same day.

Việt Nam has also allowed US cherries, pears, grapes, apples, blueberries and oranges to enter the Vietnamese market.

The country is also continuing to review and evaluate the risks of phytosanitary and biosecurity with US grapefruit, nectarines, apricots and plums.

At the meeting, Doanh also asked the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to quickly recognise the Hà Nội Irradiation Centre and Toàn Phát Irradiation Company to help Vietnamese businesses reduce the cost of transporting fresh fruit to the south of the country for irradiation.

The deputy minister also asked the US side to allow vapour heat treatment for fresh fruit exported to the US and complete risk evaluation procedures for Vietnamese grapefruits to export to the US market.

Doanh also asked the USDA to sign a bilateral trade agreement with Việt Nam to create conditions for agricultural investors and businesses to thrive. — VNS