Organic cocoa is taking root, paving the way for exports from the eastern region of Ho Chi Minh City.

Organic farming practices help cocoa trees in Ho Chi Minh City stabilize yields, improve bean quality, expand consumption linkages, and conquer demanding export markets.

Organic farming

Cocoa trees have been grown in the areas of Ngai Giao, Chau Duc, Xuan Son, Binh Gia, Nghia Thanh, Kim Long, etc., since 2004. This is also the largest cocoa growing region in Ho Chi Minh City, and the quality of the cocoa beans is highly appreciated by foreign experts.

Cocoa trees are not picky about soil; they can be grown in alluvial soil, clay soil, sandy clay soil, basalt soil, etc. The climate here is very suitable for cocoa growth, so cocoa has quickly taken root and become a cash crop in the fertile eastern region of Ho Chi Minh City. For more than 20 years, through many ups and downs, cocoa trees have established a foothold in the domestic and international markets and are considered one of the key crops in the area.

Organically grown cocoa trees exhibit stable growth, simultaneous flowering, and a high fruit set rate, laying the foundation for improved cocoa bean quality. Photo: Van Anh .

Mr. Phan Thanh Huy (Vinh An hamlet, Binh Gia commune) is currently busy harvesting his 2025 cocoa crop. His 6 sao (approximately 0.6 hectares) of 3-year-old cocoa trees have yielded their second harvest. Last year, the same 6 sao yielded about 4 tons of fresh cocoa pods, and Mr. Huy estimates he will harvest around 5 tons this second season. With the current selling price of about 11,000 VND/kg of fresh pods, after deducting investment costs, he expects to earn a profit of approximately 30 million VND.

“Among crops like pepper, cashew, durian, coffee, and cocoa, cocoa requires less labor. I have invested in an automatic irrigation system, which has reduced labor costs and saved expenses. This year, the cocoa crop is abundant, and the market and prices are stable, so farmers are confident in their production,” Mr. Huy said.

Mr. Truong Ngoc Lan (Chau Duc commune) is one of the first farmers to apply the organic cocoa farming process. Mr. Lan said that since the beginning of 2020, he has applied the organic cocoa farming process to produce safe products and supply raw materials for cocoa export. Organically grown cocoa trees flower evenly, have a high fruit setting rate, and produce high-quality, uniform fruit.

After nearly five years of switching to organic farming methods, Mr. Truong Ngoc Lan's cocoa plantation, spanning approximately 9,000 square meters, is thriving. His family's cocoa is purchased at a stable average price of 11,000 - 12,000 VND per kilogram of fresh cocoa.

Exporting cocoa

Currently, the cocoa growing area in the key cocoa-growing communes of Ho Chi Minh City is nearly 570 hectares. Not only is it considered the largest cocoa-growing region in the city, but the quality of the cocoa is also highly appreciated by foreign experts, and many domestic and international companies come to purchase it for export.

Several cooperatives and businesses have implemented linkages to purchase fresh cocoa beans from farmers to produce products such as cocoa powder, chocolate candies, cocoa liqueur, cocoa tea, cocoa juice, etc. Processed cocoa products have been highly appreciated by many demanding markets around the world for their distinctive delicious flavor and are ranked among the top 100 best cocoa varieties in the world, capable of conquering demanding markets such as Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Europe.

Visitors learn about cocoa-based products from OCA Vietnam Japan Co., Ltd. Photo: Van Anh .

Mr. Le Ngoc Can, Director of Chau Duc Cocoa Cooperative, said that the cooperative has 97 member households, cultivating more than 100 hectares of cocoa. If cultivated well, cocoa trees over 6 years old can yield an average of 3 tons of fresh fruit per sao (approximately 1000 square meters). Although the price of fermented cocoa beans has decreased compared to last year, growers are still making a profit. The cooperative has partnered with several businesses such as Marou Chocolate Joint Stock Company, Vua Thuc Pham Joint Stock Company (Ho Chi Minh City), and Binon Cocoa Company… to purchase fermented cocoa beans. Chau Duc Cocoa Cooperative has many orders from partners, but supply cannot meet demand. Therefore, the cooperative buys all the cocoa harvested by farmers, eliminating concerns about market outlets and prices.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu, Director of OCA Vietnam Japan Co., Ltd., said that in order to develop the OCA brand in Japan and the Netherlands, the company must ensure that the quality of its products meets the consumer tastes of both Japanese and European people.

In addition, the company also collaborates and partners with foreign companies. This partnership with an OCA-branded company in the importing country not only ensures compliance with market requirements, but also meets the additional requirements of foreign distributors.

Besides exporting raw cocoa beans, the company has also invested in production lines to process chocolate, pure cocoa powder, cereals, cocoa juice, tea, cocoa liqueur, etc., under the OCA brand, in order to diversify its products and meet the needs of the export market. Recently, the company secured a contract to export 8 tons of cocoa beans to the Netherlands and 1,000 liters of fermented cocoa liqueur to Singapore. The company is planning to export cocoa to the Japanese and European markets.

In addition to exporting, some businesses are developing community-based tourism linked to enjoyable experiences from planting, caring for, and processing cocoa.

Given the increasing demand for cocoa and the limited supply, communes in Ho Chi Minh City aim to complete the organic cocoa cultivation process by 2025, expanding and increasing the area under cocoa cultivation in regions suitable for the plant's growth and development. The city will also develop more organic production areas to meet export demands.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/ca-cao-huu-co-ben-re-mo-duong-xuat-khau-tu-vung-dong-tphcm-d789817.html