DT Group standardizes national organic sea grape value chain

The sea grape production chain of DT Khanh Hoa Seaweed Joint Stock Company has officially been awarded the Vietnam National Organic Certification by the Certification Centre (QUACERT) under the National Standards and Quality Institute, in accordance with the standards TCVN 11041-1:2017 and TCVN 11041-10:2023.

This is considered a significant milestone in DT Group’s strategy to develop the premium sea grape industry, aiming to build a high-tech marine agricultural value chain that meets the stringent requirements of both domestic and international markets.

The certification covers the entire linked production chain, from farming areas to processing facilities, spanning 9.81 hectares in Ninh Hoa area, Khanh Hoa, with the participation of five partner households. The farming areas are managed under strict organic procedures, with synchronized control of water quality, ecological environment, and traceability throughout the production process.

Beyond producing clean products, the model also contributes to the development of a green production ecosystem, enhances economic value per unit of coastal water surface area, and creates stable livelihoods for local communities.

The sea grape production facility also follows a green process. Solar energy systems provide clean power for production, and packaging materials are environmentally friendly. Duy is confident that his sea grape production chain is entirely green and free of greenhouse gas emissions.

According to the certification, DT Group’s organic sea grape production chain is expected to produce around 300 tons of fresh sea grapes annually. All products are transported to a modern processing plant in Bắc Nha Trang Ward, Nha Trang, where preliminary processing, dehydration, and deep processing are carried out, with an annual output capacity of approximately 90 tons of finished products for export and the premium food market.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Duy, Chairman of DT Group, stated: “Achieving the national organic certification is not only a recognition of the systematic investments and efforts made by the company and its partner farmers, but also reaffirms DT Group’s right direction in developing high-tech, green, and sustainable marine agriculture. We expect Khanh Hoa organic sea grapes to gradually integrate more deeply into the global premium food supply chain, thereby enhancing the value and reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products in international markets.”

Currently, DT Group's farming network harvests an average of 7 tons of sea grapes daily, selling 30 tons domestically and nearly 40 tons to Japan, the USA, Canada, South Korea, and Australia each month, totaling approximately 2,500 tons per year. Annual revenue is about $2.3 million.

After 14 years, starting from a 3-hectare area yielding only 2.5 tons per hectare, Duy has expanded the linked sea grape farming area to 85 hectares across Ninh Hoa, Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa), and other regions like Ninh Thuan and Phu Yen. He plans to add another 80 hectares soon.

In the coming period, DT Group will continue to expand certified raw material areas, apply digital technologies in production management, strengthen deep-processing activities, and develop value-added seaweed products to meet the global trend toward green, safe, and sustainable consumption.

This national organic certification not only opens opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of Khanh Hoa sea grape products but also contributes to realizing the province’s goals of developing a green marine economy, circular agriculture, and sustainable exports.

DT Group, based in Vinh Luong commune of Nha Trang city (Khanh Hoa province), was established by Nguyen Quang Duy. DT Group specializes in exporting Okinawa sea grapes. After over ten years, DT Group now has a 75ha sea grape cultivation area, 80% of which was used for sweet snail culture in vain and then shifted to sea grape cultivation by more than 70 households in Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, and Ninh Thuan. 

Khanh Hoa has over 10,000ha of seaweed cultivation area, producing more than 100,000 tons of fresh seaweed per year.