Seedless lemons find their way abroad

Photo caption — Seedless lemon My Long, Dong Thap .

Increasing economic value for My Long seedless lemons

According to My Long Agricultural Service Cooperative, since 2007, some farmers in My Long commune (now My Hiep commune) have begun to experiment with growing seedless lemons and gradually developed them, associated with the "brand" of My Long seedless lemons. This type of lemon has a light sour taste, light aroma, juicy pulp, and is especially seedless, which is an outstanding advantage for both domestic consumers and exporters. With a relatively short time from planting to harvest, high yield, year-round fruiting ability and potential output, seedless lemon trees have developed into a specialized growing area in My Hiep commune.

However, in the past, the output of seedless lemons was unstable, and the selling price fluctuated seasonally. To escape the passive situation in consumption, My Long Agricultural Service Cooperative changed. Instead of small-scale, fragmented production as before, the Cooperative built a concentrated lemon material area according to GlobalGAP standards (global good agricultural practices). Farmers planted, cared for, and harvested lemons according to the same technical process, ensuring quality and meeting the requirements of partners for export.

Mr. Le Van Nam, Member of the Board of Directors of My Long Agricultural Service Cooperative, said that the commune has strengths in fruit trees such as durian, jackfruit, guava, seedless lemon, etc. The area for growing seedless lemons alone is more than 60 hectares, of which about 30 hectares (of more than 30 households) have been linked and consumed by the cooperative upon harvest. The cooperative has gradually increased the economic value of seedless lemons through export and deep processing. Thanks to that, the economic value of seedless lemons has increased 3-4 times compared to just selling fresh lemons as before.

To improve the quality of seedless lemons, meeting export requirements, the Cooperative promotes and encourages gardeners to grow lemons according to GlobalGAP standards, organic production; coordinates with specialized units to organize training courses, and transfers advanced science and technology to farmers. The Cooperative's seedless lemons have been exported stably to the European market (Netherlands) for the past 6 years, typically in 2024, about 130 tons of fresh lemons were exported. It is expected that in 2025, My Long seedless lemons will also be exported to the Netherlands from 130 tons or more.

Growing lemons for export must comply with clean farming processes, as well as the regulations of partners. But in return, if the lemons meet the standards of fruit size, color, no pesticide residues, etc., the business will buy them at a price several thousand dong higher than the market price per kilogram, eliminating the "good harvest, low price" situation as before and ensuring farmers make a profit.

Mr. Vo Van Nghiep in My Long 3 hamlet, My Hiep commune said that he grows 1.2 hectares of seedless lemons, applying the production process according to GlobalGAP standards, harvesting an average of more than 50 tons each year. He has been attached to this crop for many years because the cooperative supports consumption links with businesses for export, so the output is stable and the selling price is higher. About 80% of his lemon output is purchased by the company for export; the remaining output is purchased by the cooperative, providing fresh lemons to the domestic market and producing products from raw lemons.

Towards deep processing

The enterprise purchases grade 1 seedless lemons for export to the Netherlands. Grade 2 and 3 lemons are consumed domestically through supermarkets and traditional markets. Along with that, the Cooperative also researches, produces, and brings to the market a number of deeply processed products from lemons such as: honey lemon juice, lemon soap; is researching the production of lemon essential oil from lemon peel residue. In particular, the honey lemon juice product of My Long Agricultural Service Cooperative has met the 4-star OCOP standard; monthly consumption is from 2,000 - 2,500 bottles (200ml/bottle), average revenue is 130 million VND/month.

Mr. Le Van Nam, Member of the Board of Directors of My Long Agricultural Service Cooperative, added that after producing honey lemon juice, a large amount of lemon peel residue will be released into the environment. With the desire to minimize environmental pollution and maximize the economic value of lemons, with the help of specialized science and technology sectors and units, the cooperative is researching the production of organic fertilizer from lemon peel residue to fertilize lemon gardens in particular and fruit trees in general.

Mr. Pham Ba Khiem in My Long 1 hamlet, My Hiep commune happily shared that he chose to grow seedless lemons because of the easy consumption situation and assured output. Initially, he received experience sharing and guidance on cultivation techniques from members of the cooperative. Thanks to that, his family's seedless lemon garden, which is over 2 years old (over 1.1 hectares wide), developed well and began to bear fruit. In the first step, he harvested more than 10 tons, of which about 4 tons were sold to export enterprises to the Netherlands, at a price of 11,500 - 13,500 VND/kg. After deducting production costs, he earned an average profit of 6,500 VND/kg. Now, 100% of the lemons after harvest are used, increasing their economic value.

Recently, the working delegation of Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee led by Ms. Nguyen Hai Tram, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, visited the circular economic model in seedless lemon production of My Long Agricultural Service Cooperative. Ms. Nguyen Hai Tram acknowledged and highly appreciated the proactive and creative spirit of My Long Agricultural Service Cooperative in boldly converting from traditional production to circular agriculture and smart agriculture.

Standing Deputy Secretary of Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hai Tram emphasized that the above model is consistent with the development orientation of ecological agriculture in Dong Thap province, helping to increase the value of products, while contributing to environmental protection and sustainable collective economic development. The relevant departments and branches need to continue to support cooperatives in terms of capital, science, technology, trade promotion and expanding consumption markets, in order to replicate this model in many other localities.

According to Mr. Le Van Nam, Member of the Board of Directors of My Long Agricultural Service Cooperative, the process of cultivating seedless lemons using a closed production process helps reduce input costs, protect the environment and create safe agricultural products, meeting the strict demands of the export market and the domestic market. In addition, the Cooperative also proactively links product consumption, expands output, and gradually increases income for members. In the coming time, with the support of the State, the Cooperative will expand the area of seedless lemon cultivation to about 100 hectares.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/chanh-khong-hat-tim-duong-xuat-ngoai-20251208175623464.htm