Focus on expanding the market for fruit consumption.

Following the merger, Dong Thap is gradually asserting its position as the "fruit capital" of the country. Not only is it expanding in scale, but the locality is also promoting the development of standardized raw material areas, expanding domestic and international markets, and aiming for sustainable and modern development of the fruit industry.

POSITIVE SIGNS

In recent years, the fruit market has been constantly fluctuating, with importing countries becoming increasingly stringent regarding quality, traceability, growing area codes, and food safety standards.

An Phu Thuan Organic Agricultural Cooperative links its members' fruit sales with businesses to create outlets for their produce.

Against this backdrop, Dong Thap province has determined that expanding the market must be linked to improving product quality and reorganizing production along the value chain.

Hung Thinh Phat Clean Agriculture Cooperative (Tan Thuan Binh commune) is one of the exemplary units in producing dragon fruit using clean farming methods.

Accordingly, the cooperative has established dragon fruit growing areas according to VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards in 8 linked groups in hamlets of Tan Thuan Binh commune, covering an area of ​​over 130 hectares.

In addition, the cooperative has obtained food safety certification supervised and issued by the Department of Agriculture; and certification of production area codes according to safety standards for export to China, New Zealand, Europe, and the United States.

The cooperative signs contracts with its members committing to purchasing dragon fruit at a minimum price of 10,000 VND/kg at all times, and at least 1,000 VND/kg higher than the market price for products that meet standards.

Mr. Dang Hoang Minh, a member of Hung Thinh Phat Clean Agriculture Cooperative, said that to meet export standards, farmers need to produce in a clean manner.

Export prices will be higher than regular market prices. By participating in the production of clean dragon fruit, the cooperative will create a stable market for farmers. Thanks to selling at a higher price than the market, members can produce with peace of mind.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Quy, Director of Hung Thinh Phat Clean Agriculture Cooperative, said that the cooperative processes 60-100 tons of dragon fruit each month for export and supply to commercial centers nationwide. This helps ensure a stable market for its members.

In the coming period, the cooperative will continue to maintain production linkages for dragon fruit, working alongside farmers to ensure clean production and meet export standards. In addition, the cooperative will actively seek customers to create a stable market for dragon fruit.

Besides dragon fruit, in recent times, many other types of fruit in the province have also been given attention in building supply chains and product consumption. As a result, the market for fruit has been expanding.

Mr. Le Van Ba, Director of An Phu Thuan Organic Agricultural Cooperative (Phu Huu commune), shared: “The cooperative has been established for more than 10 years and has chosen to focus on linking the production of longan and durian.”

Previously, the villagers mainly engaged in small-scale, individual production, resulting in low efficiency. After establishing the cooperative, we planned a concentrated production area of ​​approximately 86 hectares for cultivating longan and durian.

In this process, the cooperative will uniformly apply high-quality agricultural production processes, register planting area codes, and establish consumption links with businesses. This is a crucial turning point, creating stable outlets and increasing product value.”

Notably, in April 2026, Dong Thap exported its first batch of pomelos to the Australian market.

This event not only creates more outlets for pomelos, but also marks an important step for the local fruit industry in conquering high-end markets.

Ms. Tran Thanh Phong, Director of My Phong Cooperative (My Phong Ward), said that recently, the cooperative collaborated with My Phu Farmers' Association to export the first batch of green pomelos to the Australian market.

To qualify for export to the Australian market, farmers must produce according to food safety and hygiene standards. Currently, the cooperative has established a planting area code for export to the US, South Korea, and now Australia.

Ms. Tran Thanh Phong added: "The batch of pomelos exported to the Australian market on April 13th has been completely sold out, and our Australian partner is contacting the cooperative to arrange for further shipments."

This is very good news not only for the pomelo farmers of the cooperative, but also opens up opportunities for sustainable development of Dong Thap pomelos.”

Mr. Duong Thanh Hong, Deputy Chairman of the My Phu Farmers' Association (My Phu neighborhood, My Phong ward) said: "The association currently has 18 members who are farming households specializing in growing green pomelos, with a total area of ​​about 14 hectares."

In particular, the cooperative has been granted a planting area code, which is one of the very important criteria for grapefruit to be exported to foreign markets.

Through the farmers' association, farmers have access to cooperatives and participate in a well-structured export chain. By joining the My Phong Cooperative, members receive technical guidance on cultivation according to export standards, so the association members feel very secure in their production. Currently, the association is recruiting new members to expand the growing area.”

EXPANDING THE MARKET, AIMING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

To expand the consumer market and promote sustainable development of the fruit industry, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has focused on implementing several key solutions in recent times.

"The Department of Agriculture is advising the Provincial People's Committee on drafting the Plan "Development of Key Fruit Crops in Dong Thap Province until 2030" and the Plan "Building Organized Raw Material Areas and Forming an Agricultural Ecosystem in Dong Thap Province, giai đoạn 2026 - 2028" to organize the construction of concentrated raw material production areas for key crops."

In particular, operating within a linked chain between farmers, cooperatives, and businesses creates a strong connection at each stage of production, ensuring product quality control and meeting export standards.

This will improve production efficiency, quality, and management capabilities, expand export markets, and avoid dependence on a single market.”

DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT OF DONG THAP PROVINCE , LE HA LUAN

Accordingly, the agricultural sector has focused on developing concentrated raw material areas, planning specialized production zones, supporting access to capital, high-quality seeds, and infrastructure serving production.

Simultaneously, there is a focus on promoting the transfer and application of science , technology, and high-tech methods in fruit production, including: automated irrigation systems; mechanization; staggered flowering control; fruit bagging; safe and organic farming practices; application of microbial and biological products; emission reduction; circular agriculture; adaptation to climate change; and environmental protection.

At the same time, developing post-harvest technology and promoting deep processing industries will help consume fruit during the peak season and increase product value.

The agricultural sector is also continuing to expand the registration of growing areas and packaging facilities for potential fruit crops such as durian, longan, coconut, and dragon fruit, linked with production organization according to cooperative and collaborative models.

At the same time, the goal is to increase the percentage of growing areas meeting VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards, and to digitize data on growing areas and packaging facilities to facilitate traceability, ensuring product transparency and enhancing the reputation of the province's fruit brands.

In addition, the Department of Agriculture and Environment also focuses on investing in infrastructure and technical infrastructure.

In particular, emphasis should be placed on strengthening production linkages along the value chain between farmers, cooperatives, and businesses, from production to procurement, processing, and consumption, in order to ensure stable output and increase the added value of fruit products.

At the same time, organize conferences to connect and link the consumption of agricultural products between cooperatives, cooperative groups, and associations with businesses, individual traders, distribution units, and potential partners inside and outside the province.

This aims to boost the consumption of agricultural products and expand both domestic and export markets.

T. DAT - N. KHANH - H. THONG

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/tap-trung-mo-rong-thi-truong-tieu-thu-trai-cay-a241347.html