Research on export markets for fruit products

With the potential and advantages of land and favorable climate, our province has planned specialized fruit growing areas to meet the needs of the domestic and export markets. Currently, the whole province has been granted 293 growing area codes, with a total area of over 3,140 hectares of fruit trees and 34 packaging facilities for export; the output ensures export standards of 46,000 tons of various fruits to the markets of Australia, New Zealand, China, EU... In 2023, the whole province exported 8,000 tons of mango, 4,500 tons of longan, 1,000 tons of passion fruit..., with a total value of over 25 million USD.

Displaying and introducing dragon fruit products of Ngoc Hoang Agricultural Cooperative, Mai Son district.

However, at present, logistics services are mainly transportation, delivery of individual goods and warehouse and yard rental services. Other services such as preservation support (cold storage, heat drying, irradiation), packaging, analysis and technical inspection have not been invested in by any business... This makes exporting local fruits difficult, especially to demanding markets like Europe.

Based on the above reality, in 2022, the Provincial People's Committee approved the University of Commerce as the host unit for the project "Market research and logistics services to promote the export of Son La province's fruits to some European markets", with the aim of proposing policies and solutions to promote the collection and processing capacity to serve the export of the province's fruits.

The research team surveyed the production and export situation of the province's main fruit products, including mango, longan, passion fruit, dragon fruit, and plum. The province's fruit products initially met VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and Organic standards. However, most of the enterprises and cooperatives producing and processing agricultural products in the area are small-scale; the number of enterprises and cooperatives providing export services is still small. For highly seasonal fruits such as mango, longan, and plum, most of the enterprises and cooperatives do not have sustainable consumption partners. Along with that, the lack of key logistics centers, goods must be transported through many stages to Hanoi and the northern border provinces for export, causing logistics costs to increase by up to 30% of product cost, making Son La fruits less competitive compared to fruits from Thailand, China, etc.

Dr. Pham Van Kiem, Deputy Head of the Department of Business Logistics, University of Commerce, Project Manager, said: The group has proposed solutions to build a system of equipment to serve logistics services with synchronous transportation methods, warehouses for storing fruit products, especially aiming at refrigerated container transportation in localities and key growing areas; building fruit export supply chains on the basis of attracting export enterprises, food corporations, or large, professional logistics enterprises, shaping them as chain center enterprises. Gradually moving towards building a logistics center for transiting Son La fruit exports in general and to the European market in particular in Mai Son district in the period of 2025-2030.

FUSA Organic Agriculture Joint Stock Company (Hai Duong province) is one of the units exporting many Son La agricultural products to European markets, such as Russia, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium. Mr. Pham Ngoc Thuc, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, said: The company coordinates with the locality to guide farmers in sustainable and safe farming, meeting export standards. Currently, the enterprise has chosen Hoa Muoi Agricultural Service Cooperative to supply Song Ma longan products and Tay Bac Organic Agriculture Cooperative to supply Yen Chau plum and mango products for export. On average, each year, the enterprise purchases nearly 100 tons of various fruits for export to the EU and UK markets. According to market feedback, Son La fruit products are of good quality, ensuring food safety and hygiene standards.

To support businesses and cooperatives in building their brands, the Project Management Board has transferred to Moc Chau Plateau Joint Stock Company, Moc Chau district and Ngoc Hoang Agricultural Cooperative, Mai Son district market research data and forecasts for the European market in the coming time; the ability to meet the quality requirements and technical standards of the European export market; the policies and goals of Son La province in the orientation of exporting fruit products to the European market.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Director of Ngoc Hoang Agricultural Cooperative, Mai Son District, shared: The Cooperative has over 200 hectares of dragon fruit; the output is nearly 3,000 tons/year; 100% of the area is grown organically, VietGAP ensures safety for export. After participating in seminars and training sessions organized by the Project Management Board, the Cooperative has gained more knowledge in the process of growing, producing, and preserving dragon fruit to meet export standards. In 2023, the Cooperative will export over 700 tons of dragon fruit to the markets of France, Italy, and the Netherlands, with a stable selling price of 35,000 VND/kg.

By 2025, the value of the province's fruit products participating in export will reach 114 million USD. With the solutions of the research team, Son La province will have plans on policies to support export activities, promote trade, build and promote brands, ensuring that Son La fruits are qualified to export to demanding markets such as Europe.

Article and photos: Thanh Huyen

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