Ripe yellow dragon fruit

Dragon fruits exported to Thailand

Statistics from the Department of Agro-Processing and Market Development show that total fruit and vegetable export revenue in January was USD260m, a decrease of 7.6% compared to the same period last year.

More notably, the total export revenue to Thailand has been on the rise. Vietnam often had an import surplus of fruit and vegetables from Thailand but the situation changed in 2020 when Vietnam exported USD157m worth of vegetables and fruits to Thailand, an increase of 209.7% compared to 2019.

Vietnam imported USD78m worth of vegetables and fruits from Thailand in 2020, a huge decrease from 2019’s USD487m worth of products. In December 2020, Vietnam imported USD8.5m and exported USD8.2m worth of products from Thailand.

In January, Vietnam imported USD7.2m worth of products from Thailand and exported USD16.2m worth of products. The majority of the products exported to Thailand are dragon fruits, mango, longan and litchi.

Clam processing at Lenger Seafoods Vietnam Co. Việt Nam and the UK saw impressive growth in their two-way trade though exports faced formidable challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — After the UK-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) took effect on December 31, 2020, both sides saw impressive growth in their two-way trade though exports faced formidable challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statistics from the General Department of Việt Nam Customs showed that total trade in goods between the two nations topped US$657.35 million in January, a year-on-year hike of 78.57 per cent. The Ministry of Industry and Trade described it as an impressive growth, particularly in the context of COVID-19.

Notably, Việt Nam’s shipments to the European country hit $598.07 million, or 84.61 per cent higher than the same time last year, and 56.51 per cent higher than December 2020. Exports of agricultural products maintained stable growth in the month, with export revenue of seafood surging 18.1 per cent to $19.72 million, and fruits and vegetables rising 148.6 per cent to $1.04 million.

Under the UK trade deal, tariffs levied on Vietnamese shrimp materials is reduced from 10-20 per cent to zero per cent, while more than 94 per cent of 547 tariff lines on Vietnamese fruits and vegetables will be cut to zero per cent.

Experts said a wide range of Vietnamese fruits like lychee, longan, dragon fruit, pineapple and rambutan will hold more advantages to access the UK market over those from Brazil, Thailand and Malaysia who have not clinched an FTA with the European country.

Việt Nam also saw strong increase in its shipments of telephone and parts (up 371.6 per cent to $252.59 million); machines, equipment and parts (up 109.9 per cent to US$74.58 million); computers and parts (up 91 per cent to $31.82 million), among others.

Meanwhile, Việt Nam spent $59.297 million on imports from the UK, up 34.3 per cent year-on-year.

Last year, total trade value between the two nations reached $5.64 billion, with Việt Nam posting positive trade balance of $4.27 billion. The UK continued to be the 3rd largest trade partner of Việt Nam in Europe, following Germany and the Netherlands.

As of December 2020, the UK registered $3.84 billion in 411 projects in Việt Nam, becoming the 15th biggest investor among 139 countries and territories landing investment in the nation. Most of the UK’s projects were in finance, banking, oil and renewable energy.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade affirmed that the trade pact will boost trade growth between the two nations in the future thanks to its commitment to erasing 65 per cent of the total tariffs immediately after the pact took effect, and 99 per cent of the tariffs in six or seven years. — VNS

Tran Manh Quy, in Xuan Du Commune, Thanh Hoa Province, has been recognised by the Vietnam Youth Federation for his contribution to society. — Photo tuoitrethanhhoa.vn

Tran Manh Quy, 32, lives in Xuan Du Commune, Nhu Thanh, Thanh Hoa Province. His income has hit VND700 million (US$30,300) per year and he has created jobs for 10 local residents with a stable salary of VND5 million each monthly.

Born into a farming family in a poor mountainous region, Quy had a tough childhood.

After graduating from Hanoi University of Physical Education and Sports, he worked all kinds of jobs but still could not afford to care for his family.

In 2012, he realised the land of his hometown was suitable for growing peaches and learned through newspapers and the internet about how to raise chickens under peach trees.

After months of thinking, he decided to leave Hanoi to return to his hometown to chase his chicken and peaches dream.

“To implement this agricultural combined model, I had to borrow VND150 million from relatives and a local bank,” he said.

Initially, he only raised 200 chickens and planted 200 peach trees and some other fruit trees.

Because he did not have experience in farming and breeding, he encountered many difficulties and the baby chickens died frequently.

With perseverance and an inquisitive spirit, he overcame the difficulties, and improve his skills day by day.

In 2015, he sold many batches of chickens and decided to expand production by planting 300 more peach and other fruit trees, breeding another 800 chickens and digging fish ponds.

“To ensure a stable raw source and output, as well as learn experience, I joined a local breeding group with 22 outstanding members,” he said.

With his diligent and learning spirit, his farm has expanded to 1.5ha, including 2,000 peach trees, 200 dragon fruit trees and he sells 3,000 chickens raised according to VietGap standards each year.

His farm’s chickens have been certified as hygienic and safe by the Agriculture Department of Nhu Thanh District.

His farm’s chickens are sold to provincial supermarkets and traders. In the Tet (Lunar New Year) period, he sold 500 peach trees and 1,500 chickens.

As well as running his business, Quy is the Deputy Secretary of the Xuan Du Commune Youth Union and helps clean village roads and build charity houses for local residents.

He led the youth union groups to guide local people on how to protect themselves when from the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also encouraged local villagers and youth union members to donate flood to people in flooded parts of the central provinces.

On his plans for the future, Quy said: “I will expand the farm and guide the youth union members to develop the economic model by sharing techniques and breeds.”

Tran Tien Hung, Deputy Secretary of Nhu Thanh District’s Youth Union, said Quy has always been a leader in the economic development movement of young people.

“He has contributed to building a beautiful image of Thanh Hoa Province’s youth who always devote their work to the community,” Hung said.

Quy was honoured as a ‘Model youth example in 2020’ by the Vietnam Youth Federation.  VNS