In a collaborative effort, the Department of Crop Production, Vietnam Gardening Association, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Hoa Binh province, alongside related entities and Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper, convened a forum on December 6. The focus was on enhancing the quality, value chain, and consumption of fruit tree products in Vietnam's northern regions.
As reported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the fruit and vegetable sector in Vietnam is making its mark globally. With an export turnover of 6.66 billion USD during the first 11 months of 2024, marking a 28.2% increase from the previous year, the sector reached a new high. This growth is attributed to primary exports like durian, dragon fruit, banana, jackfruit, and mango. Projections for 2024 suggest exports could hit 7.2 billion USD, with fruit exports potentially surpassing 6.5 billion USD.
The northern provinces of Vietnam, known for their conducive soil and climate, are poised for the robust development of various fruit trees, including lychee, longan, orange, and grapefruit. Vietnam has successfully opened its markets for 19 types of plant-origin agricultural products and fresh fruit to key international markets, including China, the United States, South Korea, Japan, the EU, and Australia.
Mr. Dinh Cong Su, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoa Binh province, highlighted the region's diverse climate and soil conditions, which support the cultivation of many crop types, especially fruit trees. With 16,000 hectares dedicated to fruit cultivation, the province focuses on oranges, grapefruits, lemons, longans, and bananas. Hoa Binh is implementing several initiatives to boost the fruit tree sector, including garden renovation, investment attraction, a citrus fruit replanting project, and trade promotion, aiming to enhance agricultural value chains.
The province boasts 88 growing area codes, 53 of which are for export purposes, and over 2,400 hectares of fruit trees with safety certifications like GlobalGAP, VietGAP, and organic. Its primary products, such as bananas, oranges, and grapefruits, have secured stable consumption in supermarkets and major cities, with official exports to the United States, Canada, and the EU.
Despite these achievements, Mr. Su pointed out challenges in increasing the added value of fruit trees, with most products consumed fresh due to preservation and processing difficulties. The forum facilitated discussions on sustainable development strategies for fruit trees in the northern provinces, market access, technical requirements, integrated pest management, and post-harvest solutions.
Source: Vietnam.VN