PROSPECTS FOR THE COCONUT INDUSTRY IN THE CONTEXT OF GREEN AGRICULTURE Part 2: Product diversification linked to market expansion

With the trend towards green agriculture and a circular economy, the province's coconut industry is thriving with advanced production models that integrate technology and local values. Sokfarm and Vicosap have become shining examples, paving the way for coconut products to gradually enter the international market.

Prospects for the coconut industry in the context of green agriculture.

With the trend towards green agriculture and a circular economy , the province's coconut industry is thriving with advanced production models that integrate technology and local values. Sokfarm and Vicosap have become shining examples, paving the way for coconut products to gradually enter the international market.

Vicosap candy is a product that is popular in the international market.

Sokfarm and the coconut flower nectar harvesting business.

With a background in food technology and a determined entrepreneurial spirit, in 2019, Ms. Thach Thi Chal Thi boldly invested 2 billion VND to establish Tra Vinh Farm Co., Ltd. (Sokfarm), reconnecting with local values ​​and reviving the once-disrupted coconut flower nectar harvesting industry, becoming the first enterprise in Vietnam to commercialize coconut flower nectar.

Ms. Chal Thi stated: "The early days of starting the business were extremely challenging as the market was almost completely unaware of coconut blossom nectar. Thanks to persistent research, standardization of technical processes, and continuous technological improvements, Sokfarm's products gradually gained consumer acceptance. To date, the company has developed six main product lines: fresh coconut blossom nectar, concentrated nectar, coconut blossom nectar vinegar, coconut blossom sugar, coconut blossom nectar soy sauce, and organic coconut blossom nectar cider."

Furthermore, Sokfarm applies a vacuum concentration process to optimize costs while preserving nutritional value. In 2025, the company exported over 30 tons of coconut flower sugar to the US and continues to maintain stable orders despite market fluctuations in tariffs. By October 2025, Sokfarm products were available in 8 countries, with demanding markets such as Germany, the US, and Japan all highly appreciating the quality.

Tra Vinh Farm Co., Ltd. is a pioneer in transforming farming methods from fruit harvesting to honey harvesting, helping farmers increase their income and better adapt to saline intrusion.

Currently, Sokfarm collaborates with over 50 households to develop 20 hectares of organic coconut plantations, creating stable jobs for 90 workers, 70% of whom are Khmer ethnic people. In the period 2025-2030, the company aims to expand its raw material area to 150-200 hectares and collaborate with 300-400 households to meet the growing market demand.

This product is made from coconut blossom nectar by Sokfarm.

According to many local farmers, the shift from harvesting coconut fruit to exploiting coconut nectar is yielding outstanding economic results. On average, each hectare of coconut trees used for nectar extraction can generate an income of 80-100 million VND per year, significantly higher than traditional farming methods.

A typical example is farmer Thach Danh (Tieu Can commune), whose 4 acres of coconut trees are yielding a stable harvest of coconut nectar. Each day, his family harvests 100-120 kg of nectar, significantly increasing their income compared to before.

Looking ahead, Sokfarm has defined its business strategy based on three pillars to achieve its goal of becoming the leading organic coconut blossom nectar brand in Asia: Local values ​​- global product; technology - innovation; and spreading community values.

Vicosap - Elevating wax coconut from raw to processed form.

While Sokfarm chose to focus on extracting coconut nectar, Vicosap took a different approach, upgrading the local specialty of Cau Ke waxy coconut. From a raw, fresh product that was unique, difficult to preserve, expensive, and low-yielding, and therefore only consumed domestically, Cau Ke Waxy Coconut Processing Company Limited (Vicosap) invested in advanced processing technology and built a modern process to shape a new, more sustainable value chain, meeting the demands of a larger market.

Ms. Lam Ngoc Tu, Deputy Director of Vicosap, stated: "From our first product line, vacuum-packed wax coconut, Vicosap now offers over 40 product lines such as shredded wax coconut, dried coconut, wax coconut candy, wax coconut yogurt, sour coconut, etc. Among these, 4 products have achieved OCOP 5-star rating, affirming their quality and unique characteristics. Not only does Vicosap meet the domestic market demand, but we also regularly export approximately 80-100 cartons of products per quarter to the US, Singapore, and Australia."

To ensure a high-quality supply of raw materials, the company collaborates with the wax coconut cooperative and many organic coconut farmers, applying strict cultivation processes according to FDA and HACCP standards. As a result, the economic value of wax coconuts has increased significantly, helping farmers stabilize production and contributing to establishing the Cau Ke wax coconut brand on the map of Vietnamese specialty agricultural products.

Pioneering production models in the coconut industry are contributing to the realization of the major goals of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation, and national digital transformation, creating a strong ripple effect in the business community, helping to increase income and stabilize livelihoods for farmers.

According to Mr. Van Huu Hue, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment: To improve the quality of the coconut industry, the province needs to continue promoting comprehensive solutions, such as planning and expanding raw material areas according to organic standards, linked with traceability; investing heavily in processing technology to create diverse, convenient products that meet global tastes. The application of digital transformation in supply chain management, e-commerce, and cross-border exports helps optimize business efficiency. Simultaneously, developing a circular economy contributes to reducing production costs and meeting the requirements of sustainable development.

With the right development strategy, the involvement of the government, and the efforts of the business community, the coconut industry is gradually asserting its position as "Vietnamese agricultural products - of global quality," contributing to the green, sustainable development of local agriculture and deeper integration.

Text and photos: MY NHAN

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/kinh-te/nong-nghiep/202512/trien-vong-nganh-dua-trong-boi-canh-nong-nghiep-xanh-ky-2da-dang-san-pham-gan-voi-mo-rong-thi-truong-9710603/