CHINA has reopened all land border checkpoints to allow the import of Thai fruits, after they were closed over Covid-19 concerns.
All border checkpoints including Youyi Guan, Dongxing, Mohan and Ping Xiang crossings have been reopened, said Alongkorn Ponlaboot, adviser to the agriculture and cooperatives minister.
"It's good news for farmers in Thailand, especially durian farm owners," he said.
A large shipment of Thai durians to China last month was turned back after Covid-19 was detected.
Following a zero Covid standard used by Thailand, a second shipment was sent by train last week.
According to the Bangkok Post, Thai authorities said that to ensure smooth transportation, all those involved in the supply chain needed to maintain sanitation standards before shipping to avoid any risk of contamination by diseases including Covid-19.
Vietnam too had been affected by China's zero Covid policy and thousands of trucks carrying fruits and vegetables have frequently been stranded at border gates.
However, the Vn Express reports that two border gates with China in the northern province of Quang Ninh were partially reopened after two months of restrictions.
It was reported that most goods have been allowed to cross the border again at Bac Lieu 2 Border Gate in Mong Cai Town but cold-preserved products and agriculture produce were still banned.
Authorities from Mong Cai and Dongxing City are still discussing a time frame on when these items will be allowed in.
However, as each container truck takes about 30 minutes to clear, only 20 trucks can cross the border each day, Mong Cai authorities said.
Officials said that hundreds of trucks carrying cold products were still waiting to cross the border.
At the Hoanh Mo border gate, authorities are focusing on returning empty trucks across the border before allowing loaded trucks to pass through.
The two border gates were closed at the end of February as China imposed its zero Covid policy as cases rose in the country.
With a trade value of US$13.7 billion, China is Vietnam's second-biggest export market after the United States in the first quarter of this year.
The trade value is up 9.2 per cent compared to last year.
Meanwhile, the Post said Thailand's Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Chalermchai Sri-on called for the strengthening of agricultural cooperation and trade between Thailand and Vietnam.
He said the two countries can cooperate further and they can become major suppliers of food in the world.
During talks with Vietnam's ambassador to Thailand, Chalermchai also asked for Vietnam's support in the setting up of an Asean Rubber Council.
At the same time, he also called for Vietnam to lift an import ban on Thai rambutans and mangoes.