Establishing standardized growing areas to solidify Vietnamese fruits' presence in premium markets

Viet Nam’s fruit exports are gaining strong momentum, increasingly targeting markets with rigorous technical and traceability requirements. Alongside efforts to open new markets, the agricultural sector is shifting its focus toward building nationally standardized production regions, regarded as the key to ensuring quality, stabilizing supply, and enhancing added value.

Under the guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, two major production zones, the Northern mountainous provinces of Son La and Phu Tho, and the Dong Thap Muoi region, have been identified for implementation in the Pilot Project on Developing Standardized Agricultural and Forestry Growing Areas for Domestic Consumption and Export, 2022 - 2025.

On this topic, Viet Nam Agriculture and Nature News (VAN) spoke with Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Viet Nam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), about the fundamental elements for building standardized growing areas and the long-term direction of Viet Nam’s fruit industry.

Reporter: How does the Association assess the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment’s initiative, led by the Department of Cooperative Economy and Rural Development, to establish standardized fruit-growing areas in key production regions?

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen: This is a very correct and necessary direction. When exporting fruits to demanding markets such as Australia, the United States, the European Union, or South Korea, the first requirement is uniformity and traceability of the growing area. To achieve that, planning must be standardized in terms of techniques, varieties, and production processes.

I find it reasonable for the Ministry to focus on the Northern mountainous region, with Son La and Phu Tho as the core, and the Dong Thap Muoi area. These two regions have diverse soil and climate conditions, making them representative of the North and South. With proper investment, they can develop into large-scale “production hubs,” providing stable raw materials for domestic consumption, processing, and export.

Moreover, standardized growing areas will open opportunities for deep-processed products such as dried fruit, juice, essential oils, or jams, potentially increasing product value two- or threefold compared with raw exports.

Reporter: In Vinafruit’s view, what are the key factors for a production region to truly become a solid foundation for export?

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen: First and foremost, planning must align with soil, climate, and biological characteristics. A single variety or production process cannot be applied everywhere. Choosing the right plant for the right region is essential for stable productivity and consistent quality.

Second, focus must be placed on varieties with global competitiveness. Not every Vietnamese fruit can be exported, and even within one fruit type, not all varieties are accepted by the market. For example, with grapefruit, the EU, US, and Australian markets prefer distinctive flavors, thin peels, dry vesicles, and long shelf life. Therefore, variety research, breeding selection, and brand registration must go hand in hand with planning.

The third factor is science and technology. Production must comply with VietGAP, GlobalGAP, or equivalent standards. Electronic traceability, farm logs, and pesticide residue control must all be standardized. These measures not only help overcome technical barriers during export but also strengthen consumer trust at home.

And finally, perhaps most importantly, is raising farmers’ awareness. Once farmers understand that standards are the gateway to market expansion, they will proactively shift toward quality- and safety-oriented cultivation rather than chasing yield alone.

Reporter: Based on Vinafruit’s observation of member enterprises, what challenges remain in forming standardized growing areas?

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen: The biggest bottleneck is still small-scale, fragmented production. Many farmers own small plots and cultivate individually, making it difficult to synchronize processes or control quality. The linkage among farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises remains weak, even though that connection is the core foundation for standardized production.

Another challenge lies in inadequate technical and irrigation infrastructure. In the Northern mountains, limited transport and cold storage drive up logistics and preservation costs. Meanwhile, in the Mekong Delta, climate change and saltwater intrusion are seriously affecting fruit yield and quality.

There is also a considerable information gap between farmers and markets. Each importing country has its own regulations on quarantine, residue limits, and chemical use. Without proper training, even minor violations can result in an entire shipment being rejected.

Reporter: In its role as a bridge between businesses and state agencies, what support measures is Vinafruit implementing or proposing to stabilize standardized export growing areas?

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen: The Association is working in three main directions. First, we coordinate with management agencies and international partners to update market information and technical barriers. When import regulations change, we immediately inform our members and propose that the Ministry issue timely guidance.

Second, we are expanding training programs, technology transfer, and electronic traceability. We work with local authorities to instruct growers on clean production methods, record management, and QR code labeling for each growing area.

Third, we connect leading enterprises and cooperatives. Several major companies are already guaranteeing product consumption, providing seeds, fertilizers, and technical support. Once value chain linkages are established, growing areas naturally meet standards, eliminating the fragmented production model of the past.

Reporter: In the long term, what policies or investments should be prioritized for these key production regions to become models for Viet Nam’s fruit industry?

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen: Above all, policies must be stable and long-term. Developing growing areas cannot rely on short-term projects; it requires a 10 - 20-year vision.

First, the State should introduce preferential tax, credit, and land policies to encourage businesses to invest directly in production areas. Land-use limits should be relaxed to facilitate consolidation, enabling large-scale farming and mechanization.

Second, preferential loans for deep-processing enterprises are crucial, as processing is the sustainable outlet for growing areas. When factories are directly connected to farms, farmers can produce with confidence, following stable contracts and standards.

Finally, investment in logistics infrastructure such as roads, cold storage, preservation systems, and irradiation centers  is essential to reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen competitiveness.

If implemented effectively, the production regions under this project can serve as blueprints for Vietnamese agriculture, helping the country’s fruits not only expand their markets but also establish a strong national brand for quality and sustainability.