Binh Thuan boost farming product consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic

In the first half of this year, the central province of Binh Thuan saw positive growth in farming product exports.

According to the province People’s Committee, the province earned US$6.96 million from exporting farming products in the first half of this month, 37.6 per cent higher than that of the same period last year.

The consumption in the domestic market slowed down as local restaurants, hotels and resorts closed due to the COVID-19.

However, Binh Thuan dragon fruit is still well sold directly to major retailers, supermarket chains like Big C Vietnam, Co.op mart, Lotte Vietnam and Hanoi BRG Retailer.

Vingroup and Aeon Group also helped supply Binh Thuan dragon fruit. Local co-operatives and enterprises also transported and sold dragon fruit at Hanoi’s Long Bien Fruit wholesale market.

In the first half of this year, the province exported 2,747 tonnes of dragon fruit worth US$4.3 million, marking a decline of 6.59 per cent in value and a decline of 37.83 per cent in volume compared with those of the same period last year.

Binh Thuan dragon fruit was exported to countries and territories including Hongkong, Taiwan, China, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Qatar, India, UAE, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Canada, US, Australia and New Zealand.

According to Binh Thuan Province’s Agriculture and Rural Development, the province now has 33,750 ha of dragon fruits, of that, 11,936 ha get VietGAP certification and 517 ha get GlobalGAP certification.

As it’s now dragon fruit harvesting time, the province expects to get 437,000 tonnes until December this year.

Besides dragon fruit, the province estimates the production of dry cashew reaches 8,680 tonnes in the second half of this year.

Meanwhile, the province’s rubber production in the second half of this year could be 60,330 tonnes.

The province also estimates to get aquaculture production of 142,350 tonnes in the second half of this year including 5,000 tonnes of white-legged shrimp.

Nguyen Van Phong, the province People’s Committee vice chairman said that seeing difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,  local authorities made efforts and took measures to support enterprises, co-operatives and farmers in consumption.

Enterprises and establishments are called on boost consumption as many as twice their current capacities. More farming product stores are opened in industrial parks or crowded residential areas to timely serve consumers even during social distancing or lockdowns.

Local authorities also urged food processing companies to purchase, process and store farming products and then sell or export in a suitable time.

The province’s Industry and Trade Department will organise an online trade promotion to introduce dragon fruit to importers from India and Pakistan. The event is expected to help local businesses seek new partners and expand importing market for Binh Thuan dragon fruit.