Brussels, 12 November 2019 – The European wine companies, represented by CEEV, welcome the upcoming Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EU and issue a short publication laying out the main benefits expected from the EU-Vietnam FTA.
The Vietnamese Market
The upcoming EU-Vietnam FTA should level the playing field for EU wine, hence increasing even more EU wine exports to Vietnam. This upcoming FTA is particularly important given that other major wine exporting countries are also set to experience further significant tariff liberalization for their exports to Vietnam, notably via the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement and the ASEAN Economic Community. It is crucial for EU wines to limit the period of competitive disadvantage.
The EU wine sector expects several benefits from the EU-Vietnam FTA
- Customs duties will be fully eliminated for wines after an 8-year transitional period.
- 86 key wine Geographical Indications will be protected in Vietnam at the entry into force of the agreement.
- The rules of origin contain a non-alteration clause that will facilitate the use of regional hubs by EU exporters. Logistic hubs are crucial to the distribution model of EU wine in the Asean region.
- The possibility for EU approved exporters to self-certify the EU origin will simplify customs procedures.
- Vietnam has committed to improving the conditions for the distribution and sale of wines.
Note to Editors
Founded in 1960, Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV – www.ceev.eu) represents the European Union wine companies in the industry and trade (still wines, aromatised wines, sparkling wines, liqueur wines and other vine products). It brings together 23 national organisations from 12 EU Member States, plus Switzerland and Ukraine, as well as a consortium of 4 leading European wine companies.
The companies represented by CEEV, mainly SMEs, produce and market the vast majority of quality European wines, both with and without a geographical indication, and account for over 90% of European wine exports. With almost €12 billion exports in 2018, the European wine sector is the first EU agri-food exporter, contributing positively to the EU trade balance with €8.9 billion.
For any question, please contact Dr Ignacio Sanchez Recarte, Secretary General of CEEV: ceev@ceev.eu, +32 (0)476 88 36 75
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