First batch of Vietnam bird's nest headed for China after customs approval

AVANEST Vietnam Nutrition JSC has received official approval from China’s customs authorities to export bird's nest to the major market, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

The Chinese authorities issued an official note last month permitting the Vietnamese firm to export two types of products that it had registered - clean bird's nests and pre-cooked bird's nests - to China.

According to the MARD's department of animal health, there are a total of 45 businesses that have registered to export bird's nests to China. These firms have been instructed by the department to monitor disease safety and food safety based on Chinese market requirements.

Nine of the 45 enterprises have completed export registration documents and submitted them to the General Department of Customs of China for review. One application has been approved and the others are being reviewed.

As of 2022, the number of bird's nest houses increased to 23,665, thrice the number in 2017. The localities with the fastest increase were the provinces of Kien Giang, Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong, the MARD reported.

With current bird's nest production of about 200 tons per year, the industry earns annual revenues of about $200 million.