For the sustainable development of bird's nest production and processing industry

(Quang Ngai Newspaper) - Despite its high economic value, the industry of producing and processing bird's nests and bird's nest products is facing difficulties that need to be resolved by the authorities soon. Only then can this product conquer the domestic and foreign markets.

Mr. Vo Van Tao, in La Ha town (Tu Nghia) said that bird's nest is a commodity with high economic value but the investment cost is large (from 1 - 2 billion VND/bird's nest house), the capital recovery time is long but the risk is high (only 10 - 20% of bird's nest houses have nests). The consumption of bird's nest products has long been retail, the selling price is also unstable, leading to a situation of sometimes surplus and sometimes shortage.

Meanwhile, establishments and enterprises producing and processing bird's nests in the province are also aiming to export products through official channels. Phan Thanh Tung, owner of Cu Lao Re bird's nest establishment, Chanh Lo ward ( Quang Ngai city), said that at his establishment, each year he produces and purchases 300 - 500 kg of raw bird's nests to process 7 main products, of which 4 products have achieved 3-star OCOP. However, the purchase and sale of bird's nest products is not stable, mainly for domestic consumption or exported through unofficial channels. Moreover, most products are sold in raw form, leading to low value.

Preliminary processing and preparation of bird's nest at Cu Lao Re bird's nest facility, Chanh Lo ward (Quang Ngai city).

To conquer the market, especially for export, bird's nest products must not only meet regulations related to packaging, labeling, food hygiene and safety, etc., but must also ensure product traceability through bird's nest house and bird's nest cave codes. However, currently, most enterprises producing and processing bird's nests and bird's nest products do not meet these regulations, partly because the source of raw materials is not stable, partly because of overlapping regulations. While Decree No. 13/2020/ND-CP of the Government stipulates that bird's nest houses are facilities serving livestock farming, which can be newly built or renovated from existing facilities, the Land Law does not allow construction on agricultural land.

According to Phan Thanh Tung, Chairman of the Quang Ngai Bird's Nest Association (under the Vietnam Bird's Nest Association), long-standing bird's nest houses with high and stable output are considered... illegally built, so local authorities do not confirm the origin of bird's nests. Therefore, establishments and enterprises cannot purchase bird's nests to supply or process for export because they cannot obtain a certificate of origin (C/O) to meet export procedures.

Therefore, bird nest farmers as well as facilities and enterprises producing and processing bird nests hope that authorities at all levels will pay attention to removing difficulties and obstacles. “It is necessary to review, inspect and classify the efficiency, construction time... of bird nest houses. For bird nest houses that have been recognized to exist according to Decree No. 13/2020/ND-CP, local authorities should encourage and create conditions for bird nest house owners to proactively apply for bird nest house identification codes. Thereby ensuring a stable source of raw materials, meeting regulations for processing and export,” Mr. Tung proposed.

The whole province currently has 655 bird's nest houses in operation, concentrated in Quang Ngai City, Duc Pho Town and the districts of Binh Son, Tu Nghia, Son Tinh, Nghia Hanh, Mo Duc... The total output reaches more than 2 tons/year, with an average selling price of 18-20 million VND/kg of raw bird's nest, creating significant income for the people.

In addition, there are currently no regulations or standards related to the activities of swiftlets and products from swiftlets, leading to the situation of spontaneous, unplanned construction of swiftlet houses, which not only affects the output and quality of products, but also causes pollution (noise) in residential areas. Therefore, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has directed specialized agencies and units to proactively coordinate with the owners of swiftlet houses to collect samples to monitor diseases in swiftlet houses.

From 2023 to present, the Provincial Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine has collected 39 pooled samples from 13 birdhouses of establishments and enterprises, serving the export of bird's nests to China. At the same time, coordinating with local authorities to review and evaluate the effectiveness as well as difficulties and obstacles for birdhouses. Thereby, developing plans and detailed planning for potential regions and sub-regions and ensuring conditions for the development of this industry in an effective and sustainable manner.

Article and photos: MY HOA

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Source: https://baoquangngai.vn/kinh-te/202408/de-nganh-san-xuat-che-bien-yen-phat-trien-ben-vung-71614f3/