Over 1,000 tonnes of Bac Giang litchi exported amid Covid-19

Over 1,000 tonnes of litchi from Bac Giang Province have been exported despite difficulties caused by Covid-19.

Over 1,000 tonnes of litchi from Bac Giang Province have been exported as of May 26 despite difficulties caused by Covid-19.

  

Farmers harvest lichi in Bac Giang Province. Illustrative image

Because of Covid-19, transportation between countries has been largely restricted. As the result, the trade of various agricultural produce was badly affected and many farmers had to seek help.

In order to deal with similar problems in Vietnam’s litchi cultivation hub of Bac Giang, the local authorities have prepared several plans for nearly 2,100 tonnes of litchi that have been harvested. They have successfully exported over 1,100 tonnes of litchi to China while preparing for more exports to the UK, Australia, and Singapore as of 4 pm on May 23. 15 tonnes of litchi will be exported to Japan on May 26.

Dinh Van Hung, director of Hung Thao Import-Export Company, said the import-export activities were more difficult because of Covid-19 but they have received many orders for thousands of tonnes of litchi.

Bac Giang authorities have worked with the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam and Vietnamese diplomatic missions in China to create a bridge between Bac Giang farmers and 190 Chinese traders. The clearance at border gates into China is also completed more quickly.

The Vietnamese drivers will leave the trucks at an agreed location. The trucks will be disinfected before Chinese drivers take over. After unloading the cargo, the trucks will be driven back to the agreed location and disinfected again.

Bac Giang farmers are growing litchi on a total area of 28,100ha this year. It is estimated that 180,000 tonnes of litchi will be harvested from May to July, an increase of 15,000 tonnes compared to 2020. Since early May, Bac Giang authorities set up checkpoints along main roads leading to the litchi gardens to prevent the spread of the outbreak.

However, Tran Quang Tan, director of the Department of Industry and Trade, said, travelling across the country to the border gate is still very difficult. Cargo trucks from Bac Giang were blocked most of the time as the province is now the country's biggest virus epicentre. Tan asked other cities and provinces to create favourable conditions to let their trucks continue their journeys.

Tan also asked the government to help bring litchi to local supermarkets and wholesale markets.