Betrimex launches 15,000-hectare organic coconut

The Viet Nam Coconut Association forecasts that coconut product export turnover in 2025 will reach $1.1-1.15 billion, a 20-25% increase compared to 2024. The coconut tree is currently the primary source of income for nearly 390,000 farming households nationwide. Beyond its economic role, coconut also holds significant ecological importance in the context of climate change.

In Ben Tre (now part of Vinh Long), the heart of Viet Nam’s coconut industry, saltwater intrusion in 2024 reached over 40 km inland with a salinity level of 4‰. Moreover, the over-reliance on chemical fertilizers has led to soil degradation, with the organic matter ratio reaching only 0.4%. It is projected that within the next 5-10 years, more than 30,000 hectares of coconut trees will reach maturity, necessitating urgent replanting to avoid supply chain disruptions.

From a socio-economic perspective, small-scale production leaves farmers in a weak bargaining position, resulting in unstable incomes and difficulties in accessing capital and technology. Meanwhile, major markets such as the EU, North America, and Japan are increasingly tightening requirements for supply chain transparency, organic certification, carbon credits, anti-deforestation (EUDR), and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

Action for the "Tree of life"

In response to the current situation, the Ben Tre Coconut Import-Export Company (Betrimex) early on launched the "Coconut Garden Rejuvenation - Greening the future" project for the 2015-2026 period, focusing on key coconut ecological zones in the Mekong Delta.

From 2015 to 2022, Betrimex implemented the "10,000 Hectares of organic coconut gardens for farmers" project, gradually transitioning from traditional farming to organic models, thereby enhancing raw material quality and farmer incomes.

In the 2023-2026 phase, the enterprise is accelerating strategic replanting, combining new planting, intercropping, and soil restoration to ensure a stable, long-term supply. After more than a decade, the standout achievement is the establishment of 15,000 hectares of internationally certified organic coconut, creating a green, sustainable raw material zone and elevating the value of Vietnamese coconuts on the global market.

In parallel, Betrimex has established the "Fairtrade" model as a cornerstone of community cooperation. Currently implemented across four cooperatives - Thanh Phu Dong, Long My, Cam Son, and Hung Le - this model protects farmers through minimum price guarantees and allows them to benefit from the Fairtrade Premium Fund to reinvest in education, healthcare, and production infrastructure.

Looking toward 2025-2026, Betrimex continues to drive digital transformation by applying IoT in cultivation to monitor soil-water data and provide early warnings for saltwater intrusion. These solutions will be integrated into the Farmer App, combined with Fintech to provide credit support based on the farmers' cultivation history.

"Sweet results" after a 10-year journey

Betrimex’s persistent efforts were officially recognized when its "Coconut Garden Rejuvenation - Greening the future" project was honored at the 2025 Human Act Prize in the "Sustainable Project" category.

According to Mr. Tran Cong Thang, Director General of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), this is a flagship project as the enterprise possesses 15,000 ha of coconut produced according to organic standards.

The award not only recognizes a specific project but also affirms a new direction for Vietnamese agriculture: integrating Agtech - Foodtech - Fintech, and fostering sustainable development based on data science, circular economy, and green finance. Through these initiatives, Ben Tre Coconut Import-Export Company (Betrimex) is contributing to preserving the "Tree of Life" while elevating the global standing of Vietnam’s coconut industry.