Lam Dong targets processing 30% of fruit and vegetable output

Developing raw material zones for processing

The Department of Agriculture and Environment of Lam Dong province has developed a fruit and vegetable processing plan for the 2026-2030 period, focusing on increasing agricultural value through deep processing, expanding production linkages, and developing consumer markets.

Under the plan, this province aims to develop fruit and vegetable processing into a key agro-processing industry. By 2030, the annual growth rate of added value in the fruit and vegetable processing industry is expected to reach 8-10%. The targeted share of processed fruits and vegetables is estimated at 30% of total output, while post-harvest losses are expected to decline by over 1% annually.

At the same time, over 70% of facilities engaged in processing, preserving, and preliminarily treating fruits and vegetables for domestic consumption and export are expected to adopt advanced production technologies. More than 70% of facilities are also targeted for adoption of quality and food safety management systems, such as HACCP, ISO 22000, or equivalent standards.

The plan also aims to establish 10 to 15 production, processing, and consumption linkage chains. The export value of processed fruit and vegetable products is expected to grow by an average of 10% annually.

Fruit and vegetable processing is considered a key component in restructuring agriculture, shifting from raw exports toward higher-value processed products. Priority products for deep processing include durian, dragon fruit, avocado, and high-tech vegetables. Lam Dong also plans to expand processing for bananas, mangoes, and passion fruit in response to market demand.

To support processing, the province will review and develop concentrated production areas linked to processing facilities. High-tech vegetables will continue to be concentrated in Da Lat, Duc Trong, and Don Duong. Fruit cultivation is planned for Bao Loc, Di Linh, and the former Dak Nong area. Dragon fruit and vegetables will be concentrated in the former Binh Thuan area.

Raw material zones will be organized on a larger and more stable scale to meet requirements on output, quality, and food safety. The province also promotes VietGAP, GlobalGAP, organic production, traceability systems, planting area codes, and packaging facilities serving domestic and export markets.

For the 2026-2028 period, priority tasks include surveying, evaluating, and planning concentrated fruit and vegetable production areas aligned with land-use planning and local advantages. The target is for at least 70% of raw material areas to apply VietGAP, GlobalGAP, or equivalent standards.

Prioritizing deep processing and market expansion

Alongside raw material development, Lam Dong aims to attract business investment in modern fruit and vegetable processing with a focus on deep processing and market expansion.

Priority products include frozen vegetables and fruits, dried products, fruit juices, processed foods, and extracted compounds from fruits and vegetables. Technologies such as quick freezing, freeze-drying, cold drying, puree processing, and concentrated juice production are identified as key focus areas.

As per the plan, the province will review and allocate land in industrial zones, industrial clusters, and concentrated production areas to attract investment in industrial-scale processing plants. Projects that apply modern, environmentally friendly technologies will be given preference.

Another component of the plan involves developing logistics and post-harvest preservation systems. The goal is to establish cold storage, preliminary processing facilities, packaging centers, and agricultural logistics hubs linked to raw material zones and processing plants.

Lam Dong aims to establish 10-20 preliminary processing facilities, cold storage units, and packaging centers in plantation in the 2026-2030 period. Applying post-harvest preservation technologies is expected to reduce losses and improve product quality.

In terms of market development, trade promotion, supply-demand connections, and distribution channels for processed fruit and vegetable products will be expanded in major cities and modern retail systems.

For exports, the plan focuses on major markets including China, the EU, the United States, Japan, and South Korea. Processed fruit and vegetable products will be required to meet phytosanitary regulations, food safety standards, traceability requirements, and technical specifications of each market.

Lam Dong also aims to accelerate science, technology, and digital transformation throughout the production, preservation, processing, and consumption chain. Technologies such as IoT and blockchain will be applied for traceability, supply chain management, and product quality control.