Planting area codes unlock export opportunities for An Giang coconuts

Meeting strict standards to reach global markets

Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu, Deputy Director of the Plant Production and Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, has signed Official Dispatch No. 2789/TTTV-HTQT addressed to the An Giang Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection. According to the Official Dispatch, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) has approved the issuance of planting area and packaging facility codes.

Of which, An Giang province has six coconut planting areas eligible for export to China, including U Minh Thuong Agricultural Seed Farm (under the An Giang Center for Crop, Livestock, and Fisheries Seeds) with an area of 30 hectares; Thanh Duy Malaysian Coconut Planting Area, with 32 hectares (U Minh Thuong commune); Vinh Phu Agricultural Cooperative, with 20.7 hectares; Vinh Phu 1 Agricultural Cooperative, with 23.4 hectares; An Thanh Coconut Planting Area, with 12.5 hectares (Binh An commune); and Gian Gua Hamlet Coconut Planting Area, with 34.2 hectares (Son Kien commune). The total certified planting area across these units is 152.8 hectares.

This milestone marks an important turning point, as China is currently one of Vietnam's largest and most promising markets for agricultural exports. The granting of planting area codes demonstrates that An Giang coconuts have successfully met stringent requirements on quarantine, food safety, and traceability.

Organizing production in accordance with international standards

Mr. Dang Thanh Phong, Deputy Head of the An Giang Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, stated, "To obtain a code from GACC, planting areas must strictly comply with regulations on cultivation practices, the use of pesticides, and orchard sanitation, as well as establish electronic field logs on the national database system."

The units with planting area codes granted for export are required to maintain cultivation conditions in line with importers' requirements, strengthen monitoring of pesticide residues, control plant quarantine subjects of concern to importing countries, ensure product traceability, and undergo periodical inspections by local Agricultural Technical Stations.

In parallel, the provincial agriculture sector will work closely with the Plant Production and Protection Department to conduct regular inspections, monitoring, and technical support for planting areas issued with codes. This binding requirement aims to safeguard the reputation and brand of Vietnam's exported agricultural products in international markets.

According to experts, China is increasing coconut imports from various countries. Planting area codes issued will enable An Giang province to directly participate in the global supply chain, reducing reliance on intermediaries.

The planting area codes not only pave the way for fresh coconut exports but also open opportunities for processed coconut products such as coconut water, desiccated coconut, and virgin coconut oil to penetrate this vast market. This will significantly enhance the added value of coconuts and elevate the An Giang agricultural product brand.

The approval of planting area codes carries significance beyond immediate export benefits; it serves as a foundation to build the "An Giang Coconut" brand in international markets. Thanks to advantages on land and climate, along with strong support from authorities and businesses, coconut has the potential to become the province’s next key crop after rice and seafood.

Many countries around the world, such as the US, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and China, require fruit imports to come from planting areas and packaging facilities that have been officially certified with codes. These planting area codes not only ensure traceability of origin but also guarantee that production follows standardized procedures to meet the importing countries' requirements.

Mr. Dang Thanh Phong, Deputy Head of the An Giang Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, affirmed, "The planting area code is not only a passport for coconut exports, but also a foundation for organizing production in accordance with international standards, contributing to improving farmers’ incomes  and moving toward a green, sustainable agriculture."