Laotian Mangos Approved for Import Into China

On Oct. 24, the General Administration of Customs of China issued an announcement via its website stating that fresh Laotian mangos meeting the stipulated phytosanitary requirements would be permissible for import.

Mangos are a significant fruit export item for Laos and have been consistently shipped to China through various means, such as small-scale duty-free border trade schemes. To date, Laos has obtained market access to China for its bananas, mangos, watermelons, passion fruit and citrus fruits (oranges, pomelos and lemons). The Laotian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is also reported to be currently working with the GACC to secure market access for additional fruits such as durians, longans, dragon fruit and jackfruit.

According to the GACC announcement for Laotian mangos, China has identified a total of 13 quarantine pests of concern. These include three species of fruit fly (Bactrocera correcta, Bactrocera tuberculata and Bactrocera zonata), mango pulp weevil (Sternochetus frigidus), mango seed weevil (Sternochetus mangiferae), mango seed boring weevil (Sternochetus olivieri), gray pineapple mealybug (Dysmicoccus neobrevipes), coffee mealybug (Planococcus lilacinus), passionvine mealybug (Planococcus minor), cotton mealybug (Phenacoccus solenopsis), Philippine mango mealybug (Rastrococcus spinosus), spiraling whitefly (Aleurodicus dispersus) and diplodia pod rot of cocoa (Lasiodiplodia theobromae).

The phytosanitary protocol outlines specific requirements for orchards intending to export fresh mangos to China, which include strict adherence to good agricultural practices and integrated pest management techniques. Compliance involves the removal of fallen and rotten fruits from batches of mangos earmarked for China. Orchards are also required to maintain comprehensive records pertaining to the monitoring for and treatment of harmful organisms and submit them to the GACC as necessary.

During the packaging process, mangos destined for China must undergo procedures that involve the removal of diseased or deformed fruits, sorting, grading and air blowing to ensure the absence of insects, mites, rotten fruits, branches, leaves, roots and soil. Given the susceptibility of mango trees to various plant diseases and insect pests, the fruits must be subjected to either hot-steam treatment or hot-water treatment prior to export. The former necessitates significant investments in facilities, while the latter offers a more cost-effective solution, notably reducing the economic burden on Laotian mango producers and exporters.

Image: Pixabay

This article was based on a Chinese article. Read the original article.