Dong Thap organic mango conquers global market

Building high-quality mango-growing areas

Lush mango orchards in Cao Lanh City and communes such as Phuong Thinh, Phong My, Ba Sao, My Tho, Hang Trung, and My Hiep have long been a familiar sight in Dong Thap province. Beyond being a well-known specialty fruit, Dong Thap mangoes are now under green, clean, and safe production to meet the strict requirements of the global market.

With a total area of around 17,000 hectares and an annual output of approximately 32,000 tons, Dong Thap is currently the largest mango-growing hub in the Mekong Delta. Mango has also been identified as one of the province's five key commodities under its agricultural restructuring plan.

According to the Dong Thap Department of Agriculture and Environment, to meet increasingly strict requirements of export markets, the province has proactively registered growing area codes and expanded areas meeting safe production standards.

As of now, the province has 296 mango-growing areas covering about 8,300 hectares granted codes, serving both domestic consumption and exports to demanding markets such as China, Australia, the U.S., New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, the EU, Russia, and Singapore.

At the same time, the province has strongly promoted the adoption of good agricultural practices such as VietGAP and GlobalGAP, along with organic-oriented production. Dong Thap currently has 486 hectares of VietGAP-certified mango across 33 production facilities, along with 2 hectares of certified organic mango.

In addition, five enterprises have registered for mango packing facility codes, including one already in operation and four pending approval, contributing to the completion of the province's mango production, processing, and export value chain.

Mr. Le Ha Luan, Director of the Dong Thap Department of Agriculture and Environment, said the province is gradually replanning mango production areas toward concentrated, specialized zones that meet international standards. Developing high-quality mango areas with traceability and safe production processes is a key factor in Dong Thap mangoes gaining acceptance and preference in international markets.

In the coming period, the province's agricultural sector will continue to improve mango quality, expand safe production areas, and strengthen linkages among farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises to support sustainable exports.

Farmers change production mindset

In the past, mango cultivation was largely spontaneous and heavily dependent on traders, therefore falling into the cycle of "good harvest, bad price." As a result, many farmers have proactively changed their production mindset to enhance the value of their mangoes.

Mr. Doan Thanh Hien, a mango grower in My Xuong commune (Dong Thap province), shared that production previously relied mainly on experience and long-standing practices, so product quality did not meet market requirements. "To achieve stable sales, we had to change our approach. I began applying scientific and technical advances and adopting safe production standards, moving toward organic practices. As a result, our mangoes have been highly appreciated by businesses and customers," he said.

Mr. Hien has also actively shared his experience with other growers to help improve overall mango quality. He frequently reminds farmers to adhere to six key criteria in mango growing, including quality, safety, appearance, uniformity, high yield, and competitive pricing, with food safety and product appearance prioritized.

One of the typical models that enhance the value of Dong Thap mangoes is the "My Mango Tree" initiative, launched in 2016 by the My Xuong Mango Cooperative in My Tho commune. Faced with the instability of traditional production, the cooperative's management board developed the idea of selling mangoes directly to customers online, thereby creating a more stable output for farmers.

According to Mr. Vo Viet Hung, Director of My Xuong Mango Cooperative, the cooperative built the website xoaicaolanh.com.vn to display detailed information about each mango tree to support customer selection. "Customers can choose the mango tree that they prefer, sign a contract, and own the entire fruit yield from that tree. Each tree is priced at around VND 3 million, with an average annual yield of 70–150 kgs," Mr. Hung said.

After customers register, farmers continue implementing the entire care process according to VietGAP or GlobalGAP standards. Upon harvest, the mangoes are packaged and delivered directly to buyers. Thanks to transparency in production and assured fruit quality, the "My Mango Tree" model has attracted a large number of customers both within and outside the province, providing farmers with a stable source of income.

Mr. Nguyen Van Mach, a member of the My Xuong Mango Cooperative, said his family has grown mangoes since 1995 but previously relied mainly on traders, resulting in unstable prices. Since joining the cooperative and participating in the model, he has received technical support, shifted toward organic production with traceability, and benefited from advance orders that help reduce pressure on investment costs.

In addition to online sales, the cooperative has also applied blockchain technology to trace product origins. Accordingly, all information throughout the mango production process is stored on a blockchain system. By scanning the QR code on each mango, consumers can get detailed information on cultivation procedures, harvest time, and distribution units. This technology enhances transparency, prevents brand counterfeiting, and, importantly, builds trust among consumers in import markets.

Not only farmers and cooperatives, but enterprises are also participating strongly in the Dong Thap mango value chain. Mr. Nguyen Quoc Thanh, CEO of Westernfarm Co., Ltd. in Cao Lanh commune (Dong Thap province), said Dong Thap mangoes have long been highly valued in international markets for their distinctive flavor, high sweetness, and stable quality. The company is signing off-take contracts with multiple VietGAP-certified growing areas that have registered codes. When farmers comply with proper production processes, the company ensures stable procurement for export to demanding markets.

According to the CEO of Westernfarm Co., Ltd., global consumption is increasingly favoring green, clean products with clear traceability. This is an opportunity for Dong Thap mangoes to expand their international market share.

* USD 1 = VND 26,355 (Source: Vietcombank)