Building on a foundation of traditional friendship, Viet Nam and Chile are actively expanding markets for agricultural products and food, contributing to increased bilateral trade turnover.

On the morning of June 16th, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung held a working meeting with Ms. Nasly Isabel Bernal Prado, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to Viet Nam.

Deputy Minister Hoang Trung emphasized that the Viet Nam-Chile Comprehensive Partnership has continued to develop positively in many areas, with economics , trade, and investment playing a pivotal role. Furthermore, the official visit of Vietnamese Party and State leaders to Chile in 2024 has created significant momentum, contributing to deepening bilateral cooperation.

"Currently, Chile is one of Viet Nam's major partners in the Latin American region, and Viet Nam is Chile's leading partner in ASEAN. The two sides maintain close coordination in multilateral forums as well as within the framework of the Pacific Alliance," the Deputy Minister stated.

In 2024, the former Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Viet Nam and the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, establishing a Working Group on agricultural cooperation, focusing on facilitating agricultural trade and technical cooperation.

To date, Viet Nam has licensed 142 Chilean seafood processing facilities. Regarding meat products such as beef, pork, and poultry, the veterinary authorities of both countries are continuing exchanges to standardize technical requirements and quarantine certificate templates to ensure disease control and food safety. Simultaneously, they are studying proposals related to the import of cattle embryos, buffalo embryos, and breeding animals from Chile.

Regarding kiwis and cherries specifically, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung stated that the Ministry is continuing to review additional technical information and conduct pest risk analysis as required, with the aim of opening up imports soon.

According to Ambassador Nasly Isabel Bernal Prado, 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Chile. Over the past half-century, the two countries have built a stable, friendly, and effective relationship. The signing of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement, which came into effect in 2014, along with both countries being members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), has created a favorable foundation for promoting trade and investment.

"This is an important opportunity for both sides to exchange information, assess the cooperation situation, and propose solutions to promote bilateral relations in the agricultural sector," the Ambassador said.

Viet Nam is currently one of Chile's top priority partners in the Asia-Pacific region. Bilateral trade turnover is growing and developing steadily. The Ambassador also stated that there is still great potential for cooperation in agriculture, especially in the areas of agricultural products, agricultural technology, and animal and plant quarantine.

Ms. Rosaura Campusano Alarcón, Agricultural Attaché (Chilean Embassy in Viet Nam), further shared that the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine recently sent a delegation to Chile to survey and assess their livestock and veterinary systems, noting positive results from Chile. At the same time, the Agricultural Attaché suggested that Viet Nam should also promote the import of breeding buffalo and cattle from Chile to improve the genetic resources for the dairy industry.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine responded that it will soon finalize the risk assessment report, which is expected to be completed in July 2026.

According to the Chilean side, although both sides have agreed on the quarantine certificate template and Chile has provided complete technical documentation, a faster response from Viet Nam is still needed to bring the product to market sooner.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung suggested that both sides continue to coordinate closely to resolve technical obstacles, accelerate the opening of export markets, and strengthen information exchange and business connections.

The Deputy Minister also emphasized the need to effectively implement the commitments within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two ministries: "During his term of service in Viet Nam, the Chilean Ambassador, with his active role and voice, will continue to pay attention to and further promote bilateral agricultural cooperation."

Source: Vietnam.vn