Developing the fruit and vegetable processing industry

(Quang Ngai Newspaper) - With a production area of ​​over 17,300 hectares per year, the province produces a large quantity of fruits and vegetables. However, due to the low processing rate and the fact that most are sold raw, the risks are high, and the value and competitive advantage are reduced.

According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, in 2024, the country's fruit and vegetable exports reached over 7.2 billion USD - a record high, 1.6 billion USD higher than in 2023. This leap forward is opening up a new development path for the fruit and vegetable industry in the coming years, aiming for an export turnover of 10 billion USD.

In Quang Ngai province , over 17,300 hectares of vegetables and fruits are cultivated annually, including over 14,000 hectares of vegetables, mainly leafy greens, and 3,300 hectares of fruit trees, of which over 2,300 hectares are already producing fruit, with an estimated yield of over 12,000 tons. However, the majority of the produce is sold fresh, with the processing rate being negligible.

According to Dam Bang, Vice Chairman of the Nghia Hanh District People's Committee, compared to other key fruit-growing regions in the country, Nghia Hanh's advantage lies in its off-season harvesting, especially for durian and rambutan, allowing farmers to supply fresh produce to the market. However, in the long term, as the area under fruit cultivation increases, along with ensuring quality, it is necessary to promote deep processing to both increase added value and reduce risks.

The lemon cultivation model in Duc Phu commune (Mo Duc district) yields high productivity, but the market for the product remains uncertain.

Because the province's vegetable and fruit production is mainly sold fresh, and the variety of vegetables is limited (primarily leafy vegetables), this leads to situations where bumper harvests result in price drops, affecting farmers' income. Therefore, the Provincial People's Committee issued Plan No. 62/KH-UBND dated April 8, 2022, on the implementation of the Project for the Development of the Vegetable and Fruit Processing Industry in the province, giai đoạn 2022 - 2030. Accordingly, the goal by 2030 is to reduce post-harvest losses of vegetables and fruits by an average of over 1% per year; over 50% of vegetable and fruit processing and preservation facilities for export will achieve advanced production technology and capacity; and 3-5 enterprises will be attracted to invest in vegetable and fruit processing in the province.

To effectively implement Plan 62, localities believe that the agricultural sector needs to plan, build, and establish concentrated fruit and vegetable production areas, as well as models and projects linking the production, processing, and consumption of fruits and vegetables. Priority should be given to selecting and developing a number of key fruit and vegetable varieties in which the locality has a production advantage, linking with surrounding areas and localities to create large-scale, concentrated fruit and vegetable production zones.

Deputy Chairman of Tu Nghia District People's Committee Tran Thien Thanh suggested that existing mechanisms and policies should be effectively implemented to facilitate and simplify procedures related to supporting the development of the fruit and vegetable processing and preservation industry; while also promoting investment in advanced, modern, environmentally friendly processing facilities that create high value-added products. In addition, focus should be placed on processing key fruit and vegetable products and high value-added products, shifting the product structure from raw products to refined, deeply processed, and comprehensively processed products to create high added value. Furthermore, the province should prioritize the development of local specialties, regional products, and OCOP products to stabilize and improve food quality and safety.

Text and photos: THANH PHONG

Source: https://baoquangngai.vn/kinh-te/nong-nghiep/202503/phat-trien-nganh-che-bien-rau-qua-da1165d/