Food imports, in particular cleanse-green rice and environmental friendly products from Lao PDR to PR. China marks an important milestone for bilateral cooperation. It illustrates a successful cooperation between Hunan Province of China and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR in exchanging views and experiences; and explore in existing potentials of each other. The first Lao rice exported to China was amounted for 100 tons at 58 Yuan/kg at the official launching of Lao rice in Chinese market on 21 January 2016 in Changsha, Hunan Province.
The rice being exported exports to China includes Savan Hom rice, sticky rice and purple rice which were packaged with a weight of 1 kg, 2.5 kg and 5 kg respectively at 58 yuan per kg. Hunan Xuanye Ecological Agriculture Development Co., Ltd has been authorized by Hunan provincial authorities to work with Lao PDR under the 2+3 investment promotion scheme ("2" means farmers contribute land and labor, "3" means entrepreneurs contribute fund, technology and market) in total land area of 2,000 hectares in Champhone district, Savannakhet province.
The opening market for Lao rice has elevated the role of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR in promoting Lao rice as a model product that meet international standards. It also implementing a pilot project for producing rice as qualified product for exporting to China under the 4 cooperation principles: water, seeds, fertilizer and season.
Currently, Lao PDR has been exporting Savan Hom rice, sticky rice and purple rice to China for three times or 350 tons, and also plans to export another 500 tons in February 2016 through Savannakhet Province.
After an official launching of Lao rice in China, there are numbers of companies shown their interest to distribute Lao organic rice via their websites. Ministry of Agricultural and Forestry of the Lao PDR also revealed about their plan to sign an export contract of approximately 3,000 tons of rice with Suanye company and o ther entrepreneurs in April. The ministry will organize a meeting to discuss about the lessons learned and the production plan to prepare for rainy season in 2016 to determine the supply of seeds, fertilizers and machinery.
The launch of Lao organic rice in China is considered as an extremely significant opportunity for Lao rice to access one of the world’s biggest markets which will guarantee a market for Lao farmers and contribute to eradicate poverty in Lao PDR.
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