Enterprise leads fully integrated farm-to-export model

By investing in deep-processing lines located directly within raw material areas and aligning operations with circular agriculture, Tam Ngoc Company is steadily expanding its export footprint.

Thoi Hung Commune in Can Tho City has long been recognized as one of the region’s key fruit-growing areas, home to a wide range of specialty produce, including longan, pomelo, custard apple, and mango. Over time, these products have been integrated into value chains for distribution and export.

The area’s diverse, year-round supply of raw materials not only enhances the value of local agricultural products but also attracts investment in deep processing. Capitalizing on this potential, Tam Ngoc Company Limited is among the pioneering firms establishing a foothold in the area, building an integrated ecosystem that links production with fruit processing for export.

The company has invested in two processing facilities dedicated to eight key fruit products: mango, pineapple, papaya, guava, dragon fruit, passion fruit, banana, and jackfruit, along with a cold storage system with a capacity of approximately 1,200 tons.

In the near term, the company plans to develop a ninth product line from custard apple, either as tea or dried products. These offerings are currently being introduced to several international partners.

Through systematic investment, Tam Ngoc’s processed products have reached demanding markets such as the United States, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Europe, thereby elevating the value of local fruit. Locating factories within raw material zones has enabled the company to strengthen production linkages, reduce logistics costs, and maintain strict control over input quality.

In parallel, Tam Ngoc has partnered with Ba Suong Organic Agricultural Cooperative to develop a 150-hectare cultivation area in Thoi Hung Commune. Building on this foundation, the cooperative has expanded its network with local farmers to around 300 hectares, forming a concentrated raw material zone that directly supports processing and export operations.

A distinguishing feature of Tam Ngoc’s model is its orientation toward circular agriculture. Rather than being handled by conventional methods, all fruit peels and residues are collected and transported to the company’s organic fertilizer plant in Vi Thanh Ward, Can Tho City, for recycling. The resulting organic fertilizer is then supplied back to the Ba Suong Cooperative’s growing areas, supporting organic farming practices.

Nguyen Thanh Phong, Deputy Director of Ba Suong Organic Agricultural Cooperative, said the closed-loop model not only minimizes environmental impact but also creates a sustainable cycle between production and processing. By securing its own supply of organic fertilizer, the cooperative can reduce input costs by 30 to 40 percent while improving product quality to meet stringent export standards.

Most members of the Ba Suong Cooperative are experienced farmers with long-standing agricultural backgrounds. Having previously worked at Song Hau Farm or Tam Ngoc Company, they have been able to quickly adapt to standardized production processes.

According to Nguyen Le Duy Anh, General Director of Tam Ngoc Company, maintaining export market share requires full standardization across the production chain. Every stage, from preliminary processing, marinating, drying, and storage to packaging, is tightly controlled.

The company has established a relatively complete production system that meets multiple international standards, including Halal certification for Muslim markets, Kosher certification for Jewish dietary requirements, and KFDA standards for entry into the South Korean market.

Each year, the company processes approximately 30,000 to 35,000 tons of raw materials, producing around 3,000 tons of finished goods across a diverse product range, including soft-dried fruit, freeze-dried fruit, frozen sliced fruit, canned products, and fruit-based confectionery.

Domestically, Tam Ngoc’s products are available in supermarket chains, airport retail outlets, and e-commerce platforms. However, domestic sales remain modest, accounting for about 10 percent of total output, with the majority destined for export.

Duy Anh noted that ongoing conflict in the Middle East has had a measurable impact on the company’s operations. Rising input costs, including packaging, fuel, and freight rates, have driven up overall expenses and affected production schedules and delivery timelines.

However, by diversifying its markets, the company has maintained stability. When demand declines in one market, growth in others helps offset the impact.

Beyond developing its own cultivation areas, Tam Ngoc has expanded linkages with neighboring farmers by providing seedlings, technical guidance, and purchasing their produce. This approach not only improves production efficiency for farmers but also helps build large-scale, standardized raw material zones that meet the requirements of processing and export.