Launching large-scale forum connecting dragon fruit consumption on January 6

According to the Department of Crop Production (MARD), the nation has around 300,000 tons of dragon fruits that need to be consumed in the first three months of 2022. Dragon fruit is cultivated in 30 provinces and cities and develops in specialized farming areas in three provinces: Binh Thuan, Long An, and Tien Giang, where it accounts for more than 90% of the country's area and production.

The remainder of the dragon fruit region is spread throughout many southern provinces, including Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Tay Ninh, and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, as well as several northern provinces, including Lang Son, Vinh Phuc, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, and Hanoi.

The primary export markets for Vietnamese dragon fruits are China (80%), Thailand, and Indonesia, as well as other nations such as India, Australia, Japan, the European Union, and Chile.

China's General Administration of Customs ordered a temporary ban on dragon fruit imports from Vietnam on December 29. The decision has posed a challenge to farmers, companies, and commodity chains involved in this agricultural product, since off-season dragon fruit sold in the beginning of the year may bring higher prices over the main crop sold in August and September.

According to a report by Vietnam Agriculture News, some gardens in the dragon fruit hubs of Binh Thuan, Long An, and Tien Giang are suffering hard times.

To address the issue methodically and fundamentally for dragon fruit production and consumption, the leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development directed the Executive Team of the 970 Agricultural Connection Forum in coordination with the Department of Crop Production, the Department of Plant Protection, the Department of Agricultural Product Processing and Market Development, and other ministry units to convene a forum themed "Connecting dragon fruit production and consumption" in the morning of January 6. 

This is the biggest dragon fruit forum ever launched. Along with speeches from several MARD units, the forum will feature speeches from some Vietnamese trade counselors abroad, leaders of a number of central ministries, departments, and branches, as well as the viewpoints of Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development from large dragon fruit-producing provinces.  

Numerous industry groups and significant dragon fruit production and processing firms participate in the conference to facilitate the flow of supply and demand information.

Long An Dragon Fruit Association, Hoang Phat Fruit Company, Doveco Dong Giao Company, Nafoods, BRG Group, Fruit and Vegetable Association, Central Retail Group, and Red Dragon Company are expected to attend the event.

MARD's future goal is to expand the dragon fruit consumption market, hence reducing reliance on the Chinese market. Dragon fruit has a significant competitive advantage over other fruits in Vietnam and is classified as a key export product.

Another factor pointing in this direction is that China's dragon fruit producing area is rising at a rate comparable to that of Vietnam, according to the Foreign Trade Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade). In the long run, the factor will have a significant influence on export production and struggling Vietnamese firms.

Along with evolving export markets, agriculture sector executives advocated for exporting by a variety of ways, including sea, rail, and road.

Link for Zoom Meeting:

https://zoom.us/j/91247104967?pwd=SFBUY3FGNmM1bE9nWEc4NmhJRDZxQT09

ID: 912 4710 4967

Passcode: 01062022

The zoom meeting will be opened at 7.00 am on January 6, 2022

In charge of technical issue: Mr. Nhat: 0916.054.556/ email: nhattq72@gmail.com

Zalo group “Agricultural connection” https://zalo.me/g/zjlpeh497 (the group is where you can get documents associated with all "agricultural connection" sessions; also, it is where you can seek for information and customers.)

Contacts:

1. Vietnam Agriculture News: Mr. Phi Hai Nam, phone/zalo:

0974488808. email: cungcaunongsan@gmail.com

2. Agricultural trade promotion center: Mr. Lap:

0943939968 Emai: daominhlap@gmail.com

3. Region Agricultural Product Processing and Market Development Sub-Department I. Mr. Dung: 0938008874

4. Cooperation Economic Training and Consulting Center - School of Management for Agriculture and Rural Development II: Mr. Hai: 0986.118.118 . Email: tmhaiagu@gmail.com

5. University of Social Sciences and Humanities HCM City: Mrs. Trang: 094.767.788