Agricultural processing industry helps increase the value of agricultural products

Updated date: 10/31/2024 05:25:02

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, with the province's investment and business environment continuing to improve, the agricultural processing industry has maintained and developed quite well, ensuring output and increasing the value of agricultural products, promoting economic restructuring.

Processing pangasius for export is the strength of Dong Thap province.

Ensuring output and increasing the value of agricultural products

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, the province's agricultural processing industry accounts for over 73.97% of the industrial sector and 11.31% of the province's economic structure. The province currently has over 710 industrial production enterprises, including over 330 agricultural processing enterprises. In addition, there are 47 agricultural processing enterprises exporting the following products: rice, seafood, shrimp crackers and post-rice products, dried fruits and dried vegetables of all kinds, fish oil, rice oil, etc.

Seafood processing is considered a strength of Dong Thap province. Currently, there are 28 seafood processing enterprises in the province, with a total designed capacity of over 700,000 tons/year. Production output in 2023 will reach nearly 448,900 tons. In addition, there are 11 enterprises participating in the pangasius production chain in processing fish oil, collagen, gelatin from pangasius skin, processing fish meal and pangasius fat, contributing to increasing the economic efficiency of the industry.

Aiming to increase the value of this strong industry, 100% of enterprises invest in modern machinery and equipment for production. Pangasius processing and exporting enterprises all apply international quality management systems, food hygiene and safety... to meet the requirements of each market. In the province, there are 28 seafood processing and exporting enterprises with key markets being China, the US and the EU... According to statistics, frozen seafood exports in 2023 will reach more than 256,700 tons, with a turnover of 629 million USD, accounting for about 48.7% of the province's export turnover.

Rice is one of the five agricultural restructuring industries of the province. Accordingly, the whole province has about 174 enterprises operating in the food processing industry (milling, polishing), with a designed capacity of about 6.6 million tons/year. Currently, 15% of enterprises are large-scale, investing in modern equipment such as: automatic lines, color separation equipment, grain separation equipment... The remaining enterprises are medium and small-scale, basically meeting the requirements in production. Participating in the food processing production chain are also 10 enterprises processing post-rice products, 400 establishments producing various types of rice flour, 26 establishments producing rice husk fuel and 3 investment projects in rice bran oil extraction.

In terms of technology, 46% of enterprises have invested in modern and synchronous equipment and machinery for production. Rice export enterprises have built and applied management systems that meet the National Technical Regulations on rice milling facilities. There are currently 14 rice exporting enterprises in the province with key markets including the Philippines, Singapore, China, Indonesia, etc. According to statistics, rice exports in 2023 will reach over 530,300 tons, with a turnover of 324.42 million USD, accounting for 25.1% of the province's total export turnover.

Fruit and vegetable processing industry, in the province there are currently over 92 enterprises/cooperatives operating, with a total designed processing capacity of over 50,000 tons of finished products/year. Mango is the province's key product, currently there are 25 enterprises investing in production and processing from mango raw materials with some main products such as: dried mango, frozen mango, juice, mango wine... Estimated mango products after processing are 735 tons of finished products/year, equivalent to 7,350 tons of raw mango. Regarding lotus products that are being diversified, Dong Thap has about 25 enterprises producing and processing lotus in the food and handicraft groups. Currently there are 7 enterprises exporting processed agricultural products to key markets including: Russia, China, Japan, Korea...

In the province, there are currently 29 enterprises processing animal feed and aquatic products with a total designed capacity of about 6.9 million tons/year, production output in 2023 reaching 1.62 million tons. Most of the enterprises have invested in modern machinery and equipment for production. Animal feed processing lines and equipment are constantly improved, investing in new technology, high level of automation. In the province, there are 6 enterprises exporting in this field, with key markets being Cambodia, Philippines...

One of the lotus root processing processes of Dai Viet Lotus Food Joint Stock Company (Photo: My Nhan)

Developing agricultural processing industry in depth

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, in recent times, the agricultural processing industry has continued to develop, with the number of enterprises participating in production and business in the agricultural processing industry increasing year by year. Products of the agricultural processing industry are increasingly diverse, with many new products being researched and developed to meet market demand.

In addition, equipment and technology of the agricultural processing industry are gradually invested, technology is innovated, advanced production line equipment meets production requirements, suitable for the capacity and demand of the market. Investment in developing industrial parks and industrial clusters to create a space for production and processing is given due attention, creating favorable conditions to call for investment.

In addition to the achieved results, there are still some difficulties. The proportion of the agricultural processing industry in the economic structure of the province is still low (accounting for 11.31%), not fully exploiting the comparative advantages and potential of the province. Enterprises operating in the field of agricultural processing of fruits and vegetables are mostly small and medium-sized; attracting and calling for investment from FDI enterprises and large enterprises to lead the industry is still limited. Key processed industrial products are still few, although increasing in quantity, but the added value is low (the main products are still pangasius fillets and rice). The contribution of science, technology and innovation is not high, so the efficiency of production and business is not high. The number of enterprises in key industries and agricultural processing with production capacity and technology level at average level or higher is still low, only about 44.54%. The logistics system serving agricultural processing is newly developed, so there are many limitations, costs are still high; The link between farmers and businesses in agricultural product consumption is not sustainable and is "fragile" when the market fluctuates...

In fact, the industry and trade sector has set a development target of 2025, the proportion of the agricultural processing industry will reach at least 14.8% in the province's GRDP (current price). The growth rate of the agricultural processing industry will reach at least 8.0%/year (2010 comparable price). Over 50% of the key agricultural processing enterprises will reach advanced or above average technology level and capacity; post-harvest losses of key agricultural products will decrease by 0.5 - 0.7%/year.

By 2030, the proportion of the agricultural processing industry will reach at least 18.5% of the province's GRDP. The growth rate of the agricultural processing industry will reach at least 10%/year (2010 comparable prices). Over 70% of key agricultural processing enterprises will reach advanced or above average technological level and capacity; post-harvest losses of key agricultural products will decrease by 0.7-1%/year.

To overcome the above shortcomings and successfully implement the objectives in the Industrial Restructuring Project and the Provincial Agricultural Restructuring Project to 2025, with a vision to 2030, the Department of Industry and Trade will coordinate with provincial departments and branches to implement a number of solutions. Including reviewing, perfecting and implementing mechanisms and policies to support the development of the agricultural processing and export industry. Researching and applying advanced technology and equipment in preliminary processing, preservation, and processing to diversify key agricultural products with export potential, high added value and competitive advantages.

In addition, organize and coordinate trade promotion programs, introduce and promote domestic and foreign products; continue to invite large enterprises to invest in the agricultural logistics sector to lead the industry and improve the product value chain. Support training and in-depth training on e-commerce skills and digital transformation levels for enterprises, production and business establishments and cooperatives; guide the application of digital transformation in agricultural production and the application of information technology to connect markets in the province. Effectively implement the action plan to implement effective FTAs, better utilize opportunities and limit challenges from these FTAs to diversify import and export markets.

On the other hand, coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to effectively carry out trade defense, early warning and settlement of international trade and investment disputes, reasonably protect domestic production industries and legitimate interests of enterprises; develop domestic trade, promote distribution of goods via digital platforms and e-commerce to expand domestic consumption...

Y Du

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/kinh-te/cong-nghiep-che-bien-nong-san-giup-gia-tang-gia-tri-san-pham-nong-nghiep-126696.aspx