Aspiration to develop the coconut industry sustainably

Industrial coconut processing line, export processing.

Aiming for “Zero Waste”

From an agricultural product with modest export value more than a decade ago, Vietnamese coconut is witnessing a strong transformation to become a spearhead economic sector. The breakthrough increase from 280 million USD in 2010 to more than 1 billion USD in 2023 not only reflects the market potential, but also demonstrates the efforts to comprehensively restructure production, processing and value chain connection. In that process, Ben Tre Import Export Joint Stock Company (Betrimex) is considered a typical example of sustainable development strategy, associated with international standards and innovative thinking, contributing greatly to the export value of the coconut industry in the country in general and the province in particular.

Coconut trees have been officially included in the list of key industrial crops in the development strategy until 2030 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development . Along with planning for acreage and varieties, the application of GAP production processes, the granting of growing area codes and the building of a linkage chain have created a stable foundation for the coconut industry to move further. However, for this industry to truly reach the global market, there needs to be active participation from pioneering enterprises taking on a leading role.

With the common development goal of the coconut industry, coconut enterprises in the province have made impressive efforts. Typically, in 2024, Betrimex marked an important step forward for Betrimex in the journey to realize the goal of sustainable development according to international ESG standards, especially in the field of environment. The first inventory of greenhouse gas emissions along the value chain has shown the real efforts of enterprises in measuring, evaluating and controlling impacts on the climate. Specifically, the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions is determined at more than 33 thousand tons of CO₂ equivalent, including direct and indirect emissions from the use of energy purchased from outside. This data is the scientific foundation for Betrimex to gradually reduce emissions, aiming for the goal of "Zero Waste" by 2040 as a commitment to demonstrate responsibility and long-term vision.

Among the solutions to reduce environmental impacts, the company has promoted the use of renewable energy, with nearly 1,500 tons of CO₂ reduced each year thanks to the solar power system. This is a step that demonstrates the ability to convert energy towards green production, while contributing to reducing operating costs in the long term.

Ms. Dang Huynh Uc My - Chairwoman of Betrimex Board of Directors said: Not only focusing on industrial activities, Betrimex also plays a pioneering role in developing green agriculture through expanding the area of ​​organic coconut cultivation. With more than 10,500 hectares of organic certified area, the enterprise not only helps increase the economic value of coconuts but also creates clear environmental benefits, reducing more than 210 tons of CO₂ per year thanks to the application of ecological farming methods. This affirms the key role of organic agriculture in linking production with ecosystem protection, while enhancing the brand of Vietnamese coconut in the international market, which is increasingly strict on green standards.

In addition, the rate of resource reuse is also a bright spot. More than half of the water is reused, all waste is sorted at source and 60 tons of packaging waste has been properly treated. These figures show a strong shift in thinking about waste management towards circularity. In particular, Betrimex has completely eliminated 13 types of packaging that are potentially harmful to the environment, demonstrating its determination in pursuing a zero-waste and eco-friendly production model.

Affirming the leading business position

One of the highlights demonstrating Betrimex's strategic progress is the inauguration of a new office building in Ho Chi Minh City in May 2025. This is not only a modern workplace but also a symbol of sustainable development thinking when it meets the LEED BD+C Gold standard - a globally prestigious certificate for green buildings.

With the groundbreaking of the new LEED-certified office building in Ho Chi Minh City, Betrimex not only laid the foundation for optimizing operations but also created a standard working space, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. This is a message about the commitment to sustainable development that has been materialized through practical actions, not only in production but also in corporate governance.

“Betrimex is constantly affirming its core role in the green transformation strategy of the coconut industry. The systematic investment in organic farming, renewable energy and green infrastructure construction is an affirmation of the aspiration to make the coconut industry not only grow in scale but also be solid in quality, worthy of its position as one of the four largest coconut exporting countries in the Asia-Pacific region…”, Ms. Dang Huynh Uc My - Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Betrimex shared more.

To realize these goals, Betrimex is constantly investing in building a green agricultural ecosystem, from cultivation, purchasing to processing and distribution. In particular, integrating a research and development (R&D) center in the building has elevated Betrimex's strategy. This will be a place to gather innovative ideas, test value-added products and commercialize advanced coconut processing technologies. The center has the advantage of cooperating with universities, research organizations and technology startups, thereby constantly renewing the coconut value chain with high intellectual content and technology.

In the context of the coconut industry promoting exports to demanding markets such as the US, EU and especially China, which consumes more than 4 billion coconuts each year, standardizing quality, ensuring food safety and transparency of origin is becoming more urgent. Betrimex's investment in development not only helps the company expand its raw material areas but also creates conditions for regional supply chain resonance, increasing total output to an expected 300 million liters or kilograms in the near future.

“With strategic vision, practical implementation capacity and deep commitment to sustainable development, Betrimex is affirming its position as a leading enterprise, and at the same time is the driving force to help the Vietnamese coconut industry move forward strongly in the global green era…”.

(Ms. Dang Huynh Uc My - Chairwoman of Betrimex Board of Directors)

Article and photos: Cam Truc

Source: https://baodongkhoi.vn/khat-vong-dua-nganh-dua-phat-trien-ben-vung-14052025-a146613.html