China opens market to Lao mangoes

On October 24, China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) reported on its website that it would allow the import of fresh mangoes from Laos that meet stipulated phytosanitary requirements. Mangos are an important fruit export commodity for Laos and have been consistently shipped to China through various means such as small-scale duty-free border trading systems. To date, Laos has gained access to the Chinese market for its bananas, mangoes, watermelons, passion fruit and citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruits and lemons). The Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is also working with the GACC to ensure market access for other fruits, such as durians, longans, dragon fruit and jackfruit. According to the GACC announcement for Laotian mangoes, 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), the mango pulp weevil (Sternochetus frigidus), the mango seed ...