Laotian Watermelons Receive Formal China Market Access
China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC) announced on July 4 that watermelons from Laos conforming to phytosanitary protocols can now be imported into China—adding a new source for watermelons during China’s off-season. The phytosanitary protocols for import of Laotian watermelons to China were signed in June during a visit to Laos by a GAC delegation led by Vice Minister HU Wei.
The bulk of China’s domestic watermelon season runs from May to August. The main season’s supply is generally sold out by November, although some supply continues from the southern provinces of Hainan, Yunnan, Guangxi and Guangdong. Imports are used to fill the off-season supply gap.
Aside from Laos, other countries permitted to export watermelon to China are Myanmar, Vietnam and Malaysia. It is estimated that about 90% of the watermelons grown in Myanmar and Vietnam are exported to China.
Dan Siekman
https://www.producereport.com/article/laotian-watermelons-receive-formal-china-market-access
