Instantly, Vietnamese businesses can start exporting coconuts to the United States.

On August 8th (local time), APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) sent a letter to the Plant Protection Department, informing them about the bilateral meeting on crop health in 2023 and inviting the department's delegation to participate. The U.S. Plant Inspection Bureau expressed hopes that both sides could reach a final agreement on Vietnam's import requirements for apricots and cherries from California, USA, in the upcoming negotiations.

Additionally, APHIS announced the opening of the market for Vietnamese coconut palms to the United States.

"Before the meeting, APHIS is pleased to share the latest information regarding market access for Viet

namese coconut palms exported to the United States. APHIS understands that this is an important issue for Vietnamese producers, and we have prioritized it at your request," APHIS announced.

The U.S. Plant Inspection Bureau stated that it has been planning for the next steps in the market access process and conducting internal analysis to evaluate this product. The assessment results indicate that Vietnamese coconut palms meet U.S. requirements for processed products, with no significant risk of spreading plant pests.

This means that instead of going through a lengthy legal process for access to the new market for fresh fruits and vegetables, APHIS can utilize existing regulations for processed products to expedite the approval of coconut imports from Vietnam.

On August 7th, APHIS completed the update of the online Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements (ACIR) database to approve the import of young coconuts from Vietnam, requiring at least 75% removal of the husk.

According to the U.S. Plant Inspection Bureau, Vietnamese producers can start exporting young coconuts to the United States "immediately." Since APHIS has categorized partially husked coconuts as processed products, the only plant inspection requirement will take place at U.S. ports of entry.

Additionally, APHIS stated that it has informed the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agencies to prevent any delays in shipments at U.S. ports.

Previously, in April 2023, during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack, Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan announced the completion of procedures to open the market for cluster pomelos from the United States to Vietnam. At the same time, Vietnam requested the United States to expedite the evaluation and market access for Vietnamese coconuts and passion fruits.

In February 2023, the United States provided the results of a risk analysis for Vietnamese fresh coconuts. Although 43 potential pest species were identified on coconut trees, none were found to pose a risk to fresh young coconuts exported from Vietnam to the United States.

The United States requested Vietnam to treat fresh young coconuts after harvesting, including the removal of spoiled or dropped coconuts, the complete removal of the green husk, and at least 75% removal of the coconut fiber.

The Plant Protection Department has been in close contact and coordination with APHIS to select suitable plant inspection measures to minimize the risk of pests. Furthermore, in February 2023, the department sent official letters to provincial departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, coconut-growing cities and provinces, as well as relevant production, processing, and export enterprises.

nongnghiep.vn