Hai Duong (VNA)🍰 – The northern province of Hai Duong on November 28 held a ceremony to announce the first shipment of its Hoa Binh grapefuits to the EU market by sea for the 2024 export season.

The shipment includes Tan Lac red-fleshed grapefruits and green-skinned ones grown in Hoa Binh. Cultivated under stringent technical and food safety standards, they were harvested, processed, and packaged at a facility in Hai Duong to meet EU import requirements. Nguyen Ngoc Nam, Deputy General Director of FUSA-Eco Hoa Binh, said in 2022, the company exported 120 tonnes, but due to unfavourable weather conditions in 2024, export volume is estimated at 60 tonnes. Yet, international consumers have praised the high quality of Hoa Binh grapefruits. In the comming time, the company plans to tap into the Middle Eastern market. It is also committed to long-term collaboration with Hoa Binh’s agricultural sector to expand the global reach of local produce. To enhance export value, FUSA-Eco Hoa Binh has called on local authorities to assist farmers in improving product quality, acquiring additional plantation codes, and adhering to strict cultivation standards to ensure superior fruit quality and appearance. Hoa Binh boasts 10,240 hectares of citrus fruits, with 5,400 hectares dedicated to grapefruit. Major growing areas include Luong Son, Tan Lac, and Yen Thuy districts, yielding an estimated 109,000 tons annually. The province has issued 35 export plantation codes to facilitate access to international markets. Nguyen Hong Yen, head of the Crop Production and Plant Protection Sub-Department, noted that 2024 marks a new milestone with the export of Tan Lac red-fleshed and green-skinned grapefruits, following the success of Dien grapefruit in previous years. This year’s export volume is projected at 250-300 tonnes, targeting markets such as the EU, the US, and the UK. Modest in quantity, yet these exports lay a groundwork for expanding domestic and international market penetration. Hoa Binh grapefruits have already made significant strides, entering the UK market in 2022 and the US market in 2023. These achievements affirm the province’s reputation for high-quality agricultural products. Future plans include accessing the Japanese and the Republic of Korea markets, with efforts focused on meeting international standards, enhancing branding, and promoting trade. Through comprehensive measures, Hoa Binh aims to solidify its foothold in the global agricultural export sector while boosting the value of its citrus fruits./.