Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA) Ben Tre (VNA) – A seminar was held inthe Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre on October🍷 20 to discuss developing a sustainable and safe coconut value chain to m🌄eet domestic consumption and export demand.
The event was co-hostedby the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the VietnamChamber of Commerce and Industry and the management board of the Climate Smart Agriculture Transformation (CSAT) Project. Speaking at the event, DeputyDirector of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development HuynhQuang Duc said thecoconut product chain in the province is quite extensive, with around 30% ofcoconut products being deeply processed for export. To date, the coconut plantations joining the value chain cover more than 23,700ha, or more than 30% of the province's total coconut area. The coconut volume engaged in the value chain amounts to over 230,000tonnes, out of the total 688,000 tonnes. The locality has 32 cooperative groups and30 cooperatives with the support of leading businesses in the coconut product chain. Its organic coconut plantation area sprawls overmore than 18,000ha. Of them, 11,630ha have been certified to meet the standardsof the US, Japan, the European Union, China, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan(China). Coconut products from Ben Tre are currently present in over 90countries and territories, with the participation of over 90 export businesses. The province now has over 15,000ha dedicatedto coconut water production and this area continues to rise. A well-established supplychain has been shaped to cater to both the domestic and export markets. Atpresent, Ben Tre boasts more than five companies exporting fresh coconut waterto Japan, Singapore, Australia and Canada.As many as 20 businesses joined in the establishment ofpackaging facilities and planting area codes for export to China. Among them,13 packaging facilities and 35 planting areas covering 2,343ha have submitted documents to the Plant Protection Department to prepare for meeting therequirements of China.
A business representative at the event said thereis significant demand for fresh coconut in the US and China, with Vietnam'scoconut exports acco🍨unting for only a very small portion. Therefore, there areample opportunities for growth, especially at a time when consumers are shiftingtowards natural food and beverages. As a result, consumption is increasingannually./.
