From fields to fresh potato snack value chain

In the context of rising demand for domestic raw materials, these results not only show a favorable harvest but also lay the groundwork for developing a potato value chain serving Viet Nam's snack industry.

A potato crop with good harvest and good price

This year's winter–spring potato crop in Northern provinces has recorded positive signs, with both yield and quality improving compared to previous years. In many localities such as Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, and Bac Ninh, potatoes are now at harvest peak, with high yields, large tubers, and a low defect rate, thus well meeting the requirements of the commercial potato market.

For example, in Hai Phong, potato yields in linkage areas reach approximately 1.2–1.4 tons/sao (360 m²), which is higher than under traditional farming methods. Good purchasing prices help farmers earn an average profit of VND 4–5 million/sao/crop. Meanwhile, in Quang Ninh, the 2026 winter crop yields around 1,500 tons from more than 100 ha of Atlantic potatoes. Many farmers said that, compared to other winter crops, potatoes this year deliver higher economic efficiency and more stable income.

A foundation built on varieties and techniques

A bumper harvest is not only the result of favorable weather conditions but also reflects the completion of the potato production chain, from seed sources and cultivation to consumption. In many localities, this model of potato cultivation is expanding rapidly.

In practice, disease-free seed sources adapted to local climate and soil conditions play a foundational role in the production process. In addition, specialized cultivation processes, from planting and crop care to pest and disease control, help ensure stable crop growth and minimize risks throughout the season.

A key factor behind this model's success lies in the human element, specifically the technical teams from enterprises and research institutes. They serve as critical links in ensuring that production processes are properly and fully implemented. With 10–15 years of experience in commercial potato production, agricultural engineers work closely in the fields, accompanying farmers from planting seed tubers to delivering potatoes to processing plants.

According to Master Vu Tien Dung of the Institute of Biology and Agricultural Technology (formerly the Institute of Agro-Biology under the Viet Nam National University of Agriculture), the unit primarily responsible for potato variety research and development, the institute's technical team accompanies farmers weekly and regularly provides care recommendations based on actual weather conditions.

During certain stages, field checks may be required two to three times per week, or video calls to farmers are conducted to ensure proper crop growth and timely handling of emerging issues. Thanks to this close supervision, high-quality seed-derived tubers develop uniformly with low pest and disease incidence on a large scale, helping ensure output quality.

Completing the value chain through the four-party linkage

In addition to technical factors, the participation of enterprises in the production chain is crucial to maintaining long-term stability. Orion Food Vina Co., Ltd. is one of the companies consistently involved in the closed four-party linkage model, comprising the State, scientists, enterprises, and farmers.

Within this chain, Orion plays a role in output connection, ensuring stable procurement and bringing products into processing systems, thereby completing the journey from production areas to markets, supermarkets, and retail stores.

In addition, through the “Hometown Potatoes” project implemented over the past decade, Orion has contributed to enhancing the value chain by investing in seed development technology, seed storage facilities, and greenhouse testing systems at the Institute of Biology and Agricultural Technology. The company has also supported agricultural machinery and pesticides for cooperatives and farmers.

On that basis, this linkage model not only generates standardized raw materials for the snack industry but also helps improve production efficiency and farmers’ incomes. Quality control from the growing areas ensures that products reaching consumers meet traceability and quality standards.

From a bumper harvest, the sustainable potato value chain is gradually being completed, with Orion, farmers, scientists, and the State working together to create long-term value across the entire chain. From fields to finished products, potatoes have been transformed into familiar snack lines such as O’Star and Swing, which are widely present in the daily lives of millions of Vietnamese consumers.

"Hometown Potatoes" is a program implemented by Orion in Viet Nam for over 10 years, aimed at developing sustainable potato raw material zones. The program focuses on supplying high-quality seed, transferring cultivation techniques, and guaranteeing product consumption, thereby helping farmers increase productivity, stabilize incomes, and ensure a standardized raw material supply for snack products such as O’Star and Swing.

In the 2025–2026 winter–spring crop, the synchronous application of varieties and technical processes from the program has enabled many growing areas to achieve high yields and uniform tubers, further affirming the effectiveness of this linkage model.