More opportunities to create breakthroughs in fresh coconut exports

Emerging as an export phenomenon, Vietnamese fresh coconuts are being consumed in many markets such as the US, China, and the UK, creating a bright spot for Vietnam's fruit exports. With the advantage of quality and being a naturally clean fruit, Vietnamese fresh coconuts are expected to have many more breakthrough opportunities in exports in the future.

Processing fresh coconuts for export at Mekong Fruit Co., Ltd., Huu Dinh commune, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province. Photo: Cong Tri/TTXVN

Many markets embrace it. According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development , coconut trees are currently grown in 15 provinces with an area of ​​200,000 hectares, with an estimated production of 2 million tons per year. Fresh Vietnamese coconuts have been exported to 15 markets worldwide with a volume of 30,000 tons. To maximize the strengths of coconuts as a clean, natural fruit with a long shelf life, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has been negotiating a protocol with China for fresh coconuts since 2016, according to Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu, Deputy Director of the Plant Protection Department. Fresh coconuts began to gain recognition in Western markets in 2017, with a container of fresh coconuts offered to consumers in the US for trial. At that time, the US market was only familiar with Thai coconuts. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung, General Director of Vina T&T Company, a pioneer in bringing Vietnamese coconuts to the US market, has quickly achieved success, with the acceptance and orders for fresh coconuts to this market. According to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung, the sweet, refreshing taste of Vietnamese coconuts, particularly the Siamese variety, has caught the eye of the US market and has quickly gained acceptance in Europe, Canada, and South Korea. Most recently, China has also granted an export code for Vietnamese fresh coconuts. With good preservation technology, the shelf life can reach up to 70 days, ensuring the quality of Vietnamese fresh coconuts when they reach consumers. Vina T&T has signed contracts with two Chinese businesses and has already shipped the first containers of fresh coconuts to this market. Mr. Hoang Trung, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, shared that China consumes more than 4 billion coconuts annually, of which about 2.6 billion are fresh coconuts, with the remainder used for processing. High demand coupled with limited production capacity in China presents an opportunity for Vietnamese coconuts. Following the signing of the protocol, fresh Vietnamese coconuts will be exported through all Chinese border crossings. Specifically, fresh coconuts exported from Vietnam to China, including both green-shelled and short-stemmed coconuts (≤ 5cm) and shelled coconuts, must comply with Chinese phytosanitary regulations and food safety and hygiene standards, and must not be contaminated with any plant quarantine pests of concern to China. This will serve as a springboard for fruit exports. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, fresh coconuts currently rank sixth in export value among fruits, after durian, dragon fruit, bananas, mangoes, and jackfruit. It is estimated that in the first 10 months of 2024, fresh coconut exports will reach over US$120 million.

According to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), by the end of October 2024, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export turnover was estimated at nearly US$6.2 billion, a 21% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Among the export items, durian still dominates, accounting for approximately US$2.7 billion, followed by dragon fruit at nearly US$450 million, and then other fruits such as bananas, mangoes, jackfruit, and fresh coconuts. With stable and high growth rates in recent months, the fruit and vegetable sector aims to reach US$7 billion in exports this year. With the surge in fresh coconut exports, the fruit industry has more opportunities to accelerate and break through in exports, potentially reaching US$10 billion in the near future as expected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. With the advantage of export protocols for fresh coconuts, many fruit exporting businesses are targeting this product to increase their competitive edge. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung shared that, until now, Vietnamese fresh coconuts have only gained attention from many markets because, for a long time, businesses have only competed on price in the world market, instead of competing on quality, sweetness, and refreshing aroma. Since global consumers have learned that the quality of Vietnamese coconuts is comparable to that of Thailand and some other fresh coconut exporting countries, they have increasingly chosen Vietnamese fresh coconut products. Because of this proven quality, Vietnamese fresh coconuts are now being sought after by many businesses for export. To date, some businesses have secured export contracts for 30-40 containers of fresh coconuts by the end of 2024. Based on his experience in finding export markets for fruit, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung believes that if any product is to develop and become a springboard for the industry, it must be selected for top-quality products to introduce to foreign consumers. The product itself is the brand of an industry in particular, and of a nation in general. Product quality can replace thousands of sales pitches in attracting customers, and fresh coconuts are no exception.

Baotintuc.vn

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/them-nhieu-co-hoi-taodot-pha-xuat-khau-trai-dua-tuoi-20241023094344706.htm