Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Vietnam bird’s nests will beofficially exported to China after the protocol on allowing the exportation ofthis product was signed by both countries.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan on November 16 signedthis protocol after it was signed by China’s side.

Hoan said the ministry will start preparing the promotion strategy to exportbird's nests to China soon.

China is the world's largest market for bird's nests, accounting for more than80% of the global market share. According to the specialised data on bird'snest imports, demand for this product has risen steadily in this market withthe import volume rising from 180 tonnes in 2019 to 220 tonnes in 2020 and morethan 300 tonnes in 2021.

Meanwhile, Vietnam has many favourable conditions for swiftlet farming with itslong coastline, many islands, bays and lagoons. The quality of Vietnam bird'snest products is also considered superior to other countries in the region andfavoured by Chinese consumers.

At the same time, Vietnam has a long border with China which is very convenientfor trading and transporting goods to the Chinese market, creating a morecompetitive advantage for Vietnamese products.

Given its economic value and export potential, since 2019 the Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has negotiated and submitted to theGeneral Department of Customs of China for the official export of this productto China.

“After three years of tenacity, we signed the protocol, starting the officialexport of bird’s nest products to China. I think after unlocking this market,our bird’s nest industry will be restructured and create higher added value,generate more income for swiftlet farmers and processing enterprises,” Hoansaid.

Immediately after signing the protocol, MARD requested relevant units andagencies to fully inform industry associations, bird’s nest farming sites andfarmers about regulations on traceability and food safety according to theprotocol.

The ministry also requested bird’s nest processing enterprises study and fullycomply with the requirements of the Chinese side on the management ofswiftlet-raising establishments and processing to ensure disease control, foodsafety and traceability.

Associations and businesses need to closely coordinate with specialisedagencies and localities to urgently develop and organise a surveillanceprogramme for bird flu and Newcastle disease on swiftlets, and a food safetymonitoring plan for bird's nest products.

“In the long term, the ministry will have a strategy and plan to develop theVietnamese bird's nest industry responsibly and sustainably, preserving theVietnamese bird's nest brand and meeting the requirements of China, as well asother potential markets,” Hoan said.

According to the Department of Livestock Production (MARD), in the past fiveyears, swiftlet farming has developed strongly in 42 provinces and citiesnationwide, concentrating in the South-Central region and the CentralHighlands.

Currently, more than 22,000 swiftlet houses have been installed nationwide withan annual output of about 120 tonnes worth over 500 million USD.

So far, 13 agricultural products of Vietnam have been allowed to be exported tothe Chinese market, including dragon fruit, rambutan, longan, mangosteen,mango, jackfruit, lychee, watermelon, durian, and banana among others./.