VIETNAM ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE IN 180 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES

Vietnamese organic agricultural products are known by many markets

Vietnam's organic agricultural production is developing strongly, especially after more than 3 years of implementing the Organic Agriculture Development Scheme. This is the opinion of the Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association. The proof is that Vietnam's organic agricultural product export turnover is over 335 million USD/year, present in over 180 countries and territories, of which Europe is the main import market.

The whole country has more than 17,000 producers, 555 processors, 60 organic agricultural exporters. According to statistics by 2022, there are over 160 Vietnamese enterprises with 200 products that are certified organic products from the US Department of Agriculture.

In the past year, the world's demand for organic products has decreased compared to previous years due to the inflation situation and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which made consumers tighten their spending. However, experts say that this situation is only temporary in the context that organic product development is a strong development trend in the world.

In Germany alone, the world's second-largest organic market after the US, organic food sales have more than doubled over the past decade, from 6.6 billion euros in 2011 to nearly 16 billion euros in 2021. In our country, after more than 3 years of implementing the Organic Agriculture Development Scheme, up to now, the area of organic farming has increased to more than 63,000 hectares, organic aquaculture is more than 100,000 hectares, and the area of organic farming is more than 12,000 hectare.

Vietnam's organic agricultural production is developing strongly. Illustration.

Promote clean agricultural production

Farmers in many central provinces are gradually converting traditional farming to organic farming, businesses are also accompanying, thereby increasing added value for agricultural products.

In Kim Thach commune, Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri, about 300 hectares of pepper are grown. In recent years, realizing that organic pepper cultivation is effective, some farmers have converted to this model. Currently, Kim Thach commune grows more than 30 hectares of organic pepper, which has been certified organic pepper according to Vietnamese standards. According to the growing method of the people, along with the association with businesses, organic pepper of Kim Thach commune has come to the US market.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Minh - Kim Thach commune, Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri said: "Growing organic pepper helps agricultural materials, invest less money, increase product value". "Here, the cooperative is cooperating with O LAM Company, certifying and consuming products for more than 30 hectares, with the purchase price increasing by more than 30% compared to the market price," said Mr. Nguyen Tan Minh - Deputy Director of Tieu Vinh Linh Cooperative, Quang Tri.

Farmers in many central provinces are gradually converting traditional farming to organic farming. Illustration.

In addition to organic pepper, Quang Tri also strengthens connections with businesses to link coffee consumption. There have been a number of domestic enterprises that have consumed the raw material area of about 250 hectares, the output of about 300 tons of coffee, purchased with a total value of over 20 billion VND.

Currently, Huong Hoa coffee is also present in many domestic and international markets. Ms. Nguyen Hong Phuong - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Tri province said: "For the development of clean agricultural products and organic agricultural products, we give priority to special and key products of Quang Tri province such as Arabica coffee, pepper, medicinal herbs and especially organic rice products. For organic and specialty products, Quang Tri also occupies a very large market share of Vietnam's agricultural products on the map.

"Currently in Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien - Hue are localities that are operating well models of high quality organic vegetables, tubers and fruits with an estimated area of 4,000 ha. Quang Tri alone is a province with many agricultural products exported to the European and American markets and some other markets in the central region. This province's specialty coffee is considered the best in Vietnam and organic rice accounts for 1/10 of the country's organic rice area. How to make organic products cost more than conventional agricultural products because it takes a lot of effort and money to invest and maintain is the desire of organic farmers.

According to the survey of "Vietnam High Quality Goods Business Association", currently the percentage of consumers choosing eye-catching and palatable products is over 86% while the rate of accepting higher prices for organic products accounts for only 26%.