Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) reports that currently, fresh coconut exports account for only about 20% of Vietnam's total coconut product exports. Exporting fresh coconuts to China through official trade channels will boost Vietnam's coconut export value and make a significant contribution to Vietnam's total agricultural exports. This also serves as a driving force for the coconut industry to restructure its production structure towards marketization.
Mr. Cao Ba Dang Ko, Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Coconut Association, stated that in addition to good news from the Chinese market, demand for Vietnamese fresh coconuts is also increasing rapidly in other markets such as India and the Middle East. This year, the export value of fresh coconuts is expected to achieve a breakthrough, reaching an estimated US$250 million.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Manh, Deputy Director of the Plantation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, believes that China is a huge and potentially valuable market. With its large population and high demand for agricultural products, China has a high demand for fresh coconuts. The signing of the "Protocol between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and the General Administration of Customs of China on Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Fresh Coconuts from Vietnam to China" will help Vietnamese fresh coconuts enter the Chinese market in a sustainable and larger-scale manner.
According to data from the Plantation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, Vietnam currently ranks sixth among the world's top 10 countries in terms of coconut planting area and output, following only the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Brazil, and Sri Lanka. The total coconut planting area in Vietnam is currently approximately 200,000 hectares, with an average annual output of 2.1 million tons.
Provinces in Vietnam with large coconut planting areas include: Ben Tre province (79,100 hectares, accounting for 39.7% of the national total); Tra Vinh city (27,400 hectares, accounting for 13.8%); Tien Giang province (22,500 hectares, accounting for 11.3%); Vinh Long province (10,800 hectares, accounting for 5.5%); followed by Binh Dinh, Soc Trang, and Ca Mau provinces.
Mr. Cao Bodengke stated that the opening of the Chinese market and the increasing demand from other markets require cooperatives to guide farmers to plant coconuts suitable for target markets. At the same time, localities also need to develop coconut planting areas for exporting fresh coconuts.
According to the "Proposal for the Development of Key Economic Crops to 2030," the total coconut planting area in Vietnam is projected to reach approximately 195,000 to 210,000 hectares by 2030. Of these, the coconut plantation area is approximately 170,000-175,000 hectares in the Mekong Delta, about 16,000-20,000 hectares in the south-central coastal region, and the remaining coconut plantations are distributed in the central-central and southeastern provinces.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Manh stated that with the market opportunities brought about by the implementation of this proposal, the coconut industry is promoting new coconut varieties such as green coconuts, Malaysian coconuts, and pineapple coconuts. By 2030, more than 30% of the coconut plantation area will be produced according to GAP and equivalent agricultural standards. Approximately 30% of the coconut plantation area will be granted a planting area code. At the same time, intercropping measures will be adopted to increase the value of coconut production land. Localities will continue to implement policies to attract business investment in coconut production, promoting the formation of a complete industrial chain from raw material production area development to processing and sales. (End)
