Bac Giang exports the first batch of fresh longan to Australia

Mr. Duong Thanh Tung - Director of the Bac Giang Department of MARD said that this is the first batch of fresh longan exported to the Australian market with a total volume of more than 1 ton. This opens up many prospects and directions in the coming time for longan growers in particular and agricultural producers in Bac Giang in general.

Currently, longan has become one of the few key crops of Bac Giang province with a total area of 3,400 hectares planted. The total output of fresh longan is about 20 thousand tons, only after lychee and citrus.

The area of longan is concentrated in the districts of Luc Ngan, Luc Nam, Yen The, and Lang Giang. The total area of late longan is over 600 ha. The localities have promoted their strengths and applied the production process to develop the longan tree as one of the high-quality fruit trees, meeting the export standards of many countries.

To take the initiative in consumption, in 2022, the Bac Giang Department of MARD coordinated with the districts of Luc Nam and Yen The to organize the production of standard longan areas and export them to markets such as the US, Australia, Japan, Singapore, China... over an area of 200ha. The output is about 1,500 tons.

After a positive period, the preparation of production conditions, issuance of planting area codes, pest control, and pesticide residue control are accomplished. The preparation meets the requirements of export markets.

According to Mr. Tung, Bac Giang Global Company directly purchases and exports longan to the Australian market. The purchase price for growers is now twice as high as the market.

This is the first year of implementation. The experiences will be lessons for the next years in the management and development of the planting area code, in the training and guidance on the technical processes associated with the promotion and expansion of export markets.

“To bring longan to the Australian market is not easy, this is a direct export, so it must meet strict standards from Australia and must find customers. This is the end of the season, we will have a few more exports to Australia this year. Hopefully, it will open a new direction for longan," said Mr. Tung.

Bac Giang province has the advantage of favorable natural conditions, soil, and climate to develop diversified and abundant agricultural production with valuable crop and livestock products.

Currently, the locality has initially created several concentrated agricultural production areas such as lychee, quality rice, peanuts, and wood material areas, … The level of farming and the capacity of farmers to produce agricultural goods are improved.

In addition, the application of technology, science-engineering, and new varieties in production is promoted; agricultural and rural infrastructure has been strengthened and consolidated… These are crucial prerequisites to create momentum for developing concentrated commodity agricultural production, associated with new rural construction.

According to the Bac Giang Department of MARD, the area of fruit trees in this locality is over 51,000 hectares. Bac Giang is the province with the fourth largest area of fruit trees in the country. Lychee is the main crop with an area of over 28,300 ha, ranking first in the country. Currently, Bac Giang’s lychee has been exported to over 30 countries, including Japan, the US, and the EU… It also protected geographical indications in countries: Japan, the US, China, and Korea. , Australia, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia.

As for citrus trees such as oranges, pomelos, etc., Bac Giang province also has over 10,000 hectares, ranking third in the Northern Midlands and Mountainous provinces. The custard-apple area is over 2,000 hectares, and the pineapple trees area is 750 hectares,...

Bac Giang province has strongly directed the production to export, gradually improving the value of fruit products. Especially in 2022, Bac Giang focused on directing longan to export sustainably developed fruit trees.

Currently, works on directing the production for export of longan have been accomplished. The province has been granted 47 planting area codes, with an area of 514 hectares, and an output of 4,000 tons for export to the Chinese market; 5 planting area codes, with an area of 52.92 hectares, and an output of about 450 tons for export to the Australian market.

In addition, the prevention of pests and diseases, control of pesticide residues, and safe production for export have been fully carried out. 100% of analyzed samples are guaranteed to be harvested for export at the request of importing countries such as Australia, the US, Japan, and Korea, … 

Bac Giang Department of MARD has invited large enterprises with experience in exporting Vietnamese fruits such as Viet Phap Agricultural Land Joint Stock Company, Vietnam Ameii Joint Stock Company, Vietnam T&T Import-Export Trading Service Co., Ltd., Global Import-Export Joint Stock Company,... on survey and consultation in joining the longan production link.

To ensure that the direction of production of longan associated with export is favorable, the Bac Giang Department of MARD has also requested relevant localities to strengthen the safe production of longan, expanding lychee growing area according to VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and organic standards. The Department also directs specialized units to focus on monitoring and forecasting the situation of pests and diseases; guide, supervise, manage production, and prevent pests and diseases in production areas for export.

In addition, promoting trade promotion, inviting businesses to join in the consumption of export longan; support, creating favorable conditions for enterprises in the process of producing and trading longan in the locality. The Department will also guide, inspect, and supervise the participation of farmers in signing contracts with enterprises during the production and consumption of longan. This will ensure that enterprises have enough quality products for export.