Working alongside farmers to help agricultural products reach further afield.

BAC NINH - Amidst weather and market fluctuations, many businesses in Bac Ninh province involved in agricultural processing and export remain steadfast in their work, proactively developing and expanding their raw material areas. Through these quiet efforts, Vietnamese agricultural products are gradually accessing demanding markets, creating stable and sustainable livelihoods for farmers.

Maintain the raw material supply area.

These days, we had the opportunity to visit Vifoco Import-Export Joint Stock Company in Tien Phong ward ( Bac Ninh province). Mr. Nguyen Xuan Viet, the company's director, had just returned from a survey trip to raw material areas in the former Tan Yen and Yen The districts. The story he brought back was not only about production plans but also about concerns regarding the harvest season, weather, and the livelihoods of farmers.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Viet, Director of Vifoco Import-Export Joint Stock Company, inspects the company's canned lychee in syrup product.

In 2025, adverse weather conditions, including prolonged heavy rains and floods, caused significant damage to many of the company's raw material areas. Company officials proactively went to the affected areas, met with and encouraged local households, and coordinated with specialized agencies to guide the restoration of production, replanting, and compensating for damaged areas, ensuring adherence to the planting schedule. This approach helped prevent disruptions in the raw material supply chain and enabled farmers to maintain production and stabilize their income. "For export-oriented agriculture , you can't just look at short-term benefits. To succeed in the long run, businesses must stand alongside farmers, especially during difficult times," Mr. Viet shared.

On average, Vifoco Import-Export Joint Stock Company exports approximately 1 million boxes of canned lychees annually, with 70% going to France and Germany, and the remainder serving consumers in southern provinces and domestic beverage chains. The company also exports about 2,000 tons of frozen lychee pulp each year, helping to alleviate pressure on the consumption of lychees during the main harvest season and increasing the value of the fruit.

Established in 2008, Vifoco Import-Export Joint Stock Company specializes in processing frozen products such as pumpkins, carrots, sweet corn, potatoes, etc., along with canned goods such as cucumbers, lychees, and longans. Approximately 90% of its production is for export, mainly to South Korea, France, and Germany – markets with very strict standards for food quality and safety.

To meet this requirement, Vifoco places special emphasis on building a stable, large-scale raw material supply area. Currently, the company maintains a cultivation area of ​​approximately 60-70 hectares, linked with 10 cooperatives, attracting about 500 people to participate, including 4 cooperatives responsible for preliminary processing. This linkage model helps the enterprise proactively secure raw materials while creating jobs and stable income for local people.

Thanks to maintaining its raw material sources and markets, Vifoco Import-Export Joint Stock Company's export volume has steadily increased year after year. In 2024, the company exported approximately 8,000 tons; in 2025, it is estimated to reach 9,000 tons, with a total value of approximately 5 million USD. To maintain this growth momentum, the company organizes production efficiently, reduces unnecessary costs, and keeps selling prices stable to ensure credibility with international customers.

Creating added value for agricultural products.

Among the products of Vifoco Import-Export Joint Stock Company, canned lychee in syrup has been recognized by the Provincial People's Committee as a typical rural industrial product. The idea to develop this product stemmed from the desire to create a high-end canned beverage line with a Vietnamese brand, taking advantage of the large fruit-growing region of Northern Vietnam.

Workers at Vifoco Import-Export Joint Stock Company are processing pumpkins.

Since 2023, the company has focused on researching and investing in technology to produce canned lychee in syrup, ensuring that it retains about 80% of the fresh lychee flavor. “When it comes to canned beverages, many people often think of foreign brands. Meanwhile, our lychees are of good quality and can absolutely be used to create a competitive product on the market,” Mr. Viet added.

Currently, Vifoco Import-Export Joint Stock Company exports an average of 1 million boxes of canned lychees annually, with 70% going to France and Germany, and the remainder serving consumers in southern provinces and domestic beverage chains. In addition, the company also exports approximately 2,000 tons of frozen lychee pulp each year, contributing to reducing the pressure on consumption of lychees during the main harvest season and increasing the value of the fruit.

According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Viet, agricultural processing requires high precision in every step. The basic process is the same, but the decisive factors lie in the temperature and processing time. Even a small deviation can affect product quality. In the future, Vifoco plans to expand its production scale, increase the area of ​​raw material cultivation, and invest in a modern drying line to develop high-end dried fruit products, targeting the European Union (EU) market. The company also hopes to continue receiving attention and support from the province in planning concentrated cultivation areas and investing in infrastructure, creating favorable conditions for production along the value chain.

The achievements of Vifoco Import-Export Joint Stock Company have contributed to enriching the export landscape of Bac Ninh province, creating added value for local agricultural products, helping farmers increase their income and providing employment right in their hometown. The journey of "giving wings" to Vietnamese agricultural products by Vietnamese enterprises like Vifoco Import-Export Joint Stock Company continues to spread, opening up expectations for sustainable harvests and further markets for Vietnamese agricultural products.

Text and photos: Do Thanh Nam

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/di-cung-nong-dan-de-nong-san-di-xa-postid437192.bbg