On November 28, Hai Duong province celebrated the initial dispatch of Hoa Binh grapefruits to the EU for the 2024 season. This consignment features both Tan Lac red-fleshed and green-skinned grapefruits, adhering to strict EU import protocols for cultivation, harvesting, processing, and packaging.
According to Nguyen Ngoc Nam, Deputy General Director of FUSA-Eco Hoa Binh, the company managed to export 120 tonnes in 2022. However, due to adverse weather conditions, the forecast for 2024 is set at 60 tons. Despite this reduction, the grapefruits have garnered appreciation for their quality on the international stage.
The firm aims to penetrate the Middle Eastern market while fostering a sustainable partnership with Hoa Binh's agricultural sector to elevate the presence of local produce globally. FUSA-Eco Hoa Binh is advocating for local authority support to aid farmers in enhancing product quality, securing more plantation codes, and maintaining rigorous cultivation standards.
Hoa Binh is home to 10,240 hectares of citrus orchards, with 5,400 hectares dedicated to grapefruit cultivation across Luong Son, Tan Lac, and Yen Thuy districts, producing approximately 109,000 tons annually. The province has been granted 35 export plantation codes to streamline access to foreign markets.
Nguyen Hong Yen highlighted that 2024 marks a significant year with the export of Tan Lac grapefruits, building on the success of Dien grapefruit exports in prior years. Although the export volume is anticipated to be between 250-300 tons, focusing on the EU, the US, and the UK, these efforts are crucial for broadening market reach both domestically and internationally.
Having entered the UK market in 2022 and the US in 2023, Hoa Binh grapefruits are paving the way for future expansions into Japan and the Republic of Korea, with an emphasis on meeting international standards, enhancing brand recognition, and promoting trade.
Source: Vietnam+