The first container of sweet potatoes from Vietnam is expected to enter China in a month or so after the latter confirmed that 13 packaging establishments and 70 sweet potato growing areas in the former meet export requirements, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Of the 70 eligible growing areas, the Mekong Delta’s Vinh Long province has 27, nearby Dong Thap province 22, and the central highlands’ Gia Lai province 18.

Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, and Long An all have one such growing area.

China is the largest importer of Vietnam’s sweet potatoes, but exports have been largely carried out via unofficial channels, which poses many risks for both farmers and businesses.

The official export of sweet potatoes to the northern neighbor is expected to open up opportunities for Vietnamese farmers to further develop the product and add economic value.

Amid falling exports of many key products in the opening months of the year, the export of sweet potatoes is expected to help the export sector recover during the second quarter.

Vietnam’s total sweet potato growing area is estimated at around 100,000 ha, with an average output of 1.2-1.3 million tons.