On May 17, the General Administration of Customs People’s Republic of China (GACC) announced an update to China’s list of allowable imported fruits. Last updated on January 28, 2018, new protocol now allows for the import of Laos bananas.
In December 2017, Chinese and Laos delegates negotiated terms for Lao banana exports to China at a conference in Louang Namtha Province, Lao. According to the agreement, bananas exported to China from Laos need to meet the following requirements:
- Bananas must be harvested ten to eleven weeks after flowering (ripe bananas will be rejected)
- Banana exports must comply with China’s phytosanitary regulations (crops with dangerous contaminants will not be permitted entry to China)
- Banana exports shall not include the rhizome, leaves, or soil during transportation.
- Delivery must be made to the designated location according to Chinese regulations.
Moreover, exports of Laos bananas must undergo inspection in Laos before shipping to China. Laos will need to pay great attention to the growing environment of bananas. Locations of packaging facilities and the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers must be in strict accordance with relevant administrative specifications. Furthermore, along with management of banana ripeness levels, ensuring crop sanitation will be essential for exporters, too—banana exports with chemical levels exceeding the standard will be rejected.
Admittance procedure announced by General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) on January 25, 2018, has since been completed.
Bananas are the major cash crop for provinces in northern Laos. Laos banana exports approached 400 thousand tons with a value of USD 190 million in 2016, according to a report from Lao People’s Democratic Republic Plant Protection Center Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. In 2017, China-Laos bilateral trade reached USD 3.2 billion, achieving year-on-year growth of 28.6%. China also happens to be the biggest investor in Laos with direct investment exceeding USD 6.1 billion.
For complete list of fruits permitted for exports to China, visit producereport.com.
Source: Sevan Golnazarian, Produce Report
Photo source: Southeast Asia Globe