Two months after Vietnam received approval to export fresh coconuts to China, a number of companies have got orders from that country.

Businesses have been preparing to export since the green light came in August.

Cao Ba Dang Khoa, general secretary of the Vietnam Coconut Association, said several large companies have signed contracts to export 30-50 containers of fresh coconuts to China, with one securing an order for 1,500.

This is a positive sign for the future of Vietnamese coconuts in that market, he noted.

Nguyen Van Thu, chairman of exporter GC Food, said his company is creating small sample shipments for potential Chinese buyers whom he met at international trade fairs, and hopes to export also aloe vera along with coconut.

China is expected to account for 15% of its sales next year, he said.

Nguyen Dinh Tung, CEO of coconut exporter Vina T&T Group, said many Chinese importers have contacted his firm to make purchases after crossing paths at recent trade fairs.

It has six farming areas and one packaging facility with permission to ship fresh coconuts to China, he said.

Vietnamese varieties could compete with those from Thailand due to their sweetness, which is in demand in many markets such as the EU, the U.S., Canada, and South Korea.

Chinese consumers also like products made from coconut such as milk, cream and jelly, he added.

Vietnam is the seventh largest producer of coconut and has around 200,000 hectares under the fruit, a third of which meet U.S. and European standards, primarily in the central coastal and Mekong Delta provinces.

The Vietnam Coconut Association forecast exports to reach US$1.2 billion this year, with fresh coconut shipments to China amounting to $250 million.

It said Thai products’ lower prices might pose a challenge, and so businesses need to focus on competitive pricing, packaging and quality to build trust among Chinese consumers.

Source: VN Express