Dong Thap farmers upbeat as first pomelo shipment reaches Australia
(DTO) Farmers in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap are celebrating a major milestone as the locality officially exported its first shipment of pomelos to Australia on April 13, marking a breakthrough for the fruit sector and raising expectations for deeper global market access.
The launch ceremony, held by the provincial People’s Committee, not only signals a significant step forward for the pomelo industry but also brings excitement and optimism to local farmers as their produce enters one of the world’s most demanding markets.
The upbeat atmosphere from the ceremony has spread across pomelo-growing areas in the province. The first export consignment is the result of a long and meticulous preparation process, with close coordination among authorities at all levels, sectors, enterprises and especially farmers, who are directly responsible for production.
BREAKTHROUGH FOR VIETNAMESE POMELOS ON THE GLOBAL STAGE
Exporting pomelos to Australia reflects sustained efforts by local authorities, the agricultural sector, businesses and farmers.
Among key contributors, Blue Ocean Import-Export Trading JSC has played a pivotal role as a bridge connecting Dong Thap’s agricultural products with international markets.
With a mission to supply clean agricultural products, the company has continuously built a “green” value chain serving both domestic demand and export markets. In this event, it partnered with Dong Thap province and farmers to bring pomelos to Australia, a market known for stringent quality and quarantine requirements.
The first shipment of pomelos exported to the Australian market is not only the result of sustained efforts but also opens a new chapter for Dong Thap pomelos, as the value of agricultural products is enhanced, farmers gain well-deserved benefits, and confidence in the global reach of Vietnamese produce continues to be strengthened. |
Ms. Pham Thi Ngoc Thach, General Director of Blue Ocean Import-Export Trading JSC, said that securing the shipment required overcoming multiple challenges, including periods of temporary suspension to meet technical requirements set by Australian partners.
“Thanks to strong determination and close coordination from central to local levels, and among regulatory agencies, businesses and producers, difficulties were gradually resolved,” she noted.
According to Ms. Thach, export activities not only generate commercial value but also affirm the quality and reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products.
Successfully entering the Australian market demonstrates that Vietnamese pomelos are ready to compete in high-standard markets. The company pledged to continue supporting farmers in improving production standards, investing in qualified raw material areas and expanding exports not only to Australia but also to other premium markets.
According to representatives of My Phong Cooperative in My Phong commune, Dong Thap province, which signed an agreement with Blue Ocean to supply export-grade pomelos, compliance with food safety standards and participation in planting area codes are key factors in accessing demanding markets.
Depending on market requirements, the cooperative guides its members in adjusting production processes to meet export standards.
The achievement also highlights the crucial role of State management agencies, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and relevant specialised units, in supporting production processes, quarantine procedures, traceability systems and market access. The presence of leaders at various levels at the ceremony underscores strong commitment and serves as motivation for the agricultural sector to pursue sustainable development.
According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, exporting the first shipment to Australia – a market with strict requirements on planting area codes, packing facilities and plant quarantine – required thorough and systematic preparation.
The result reflects a strong shift from a production mindset to an agricultural economic mindset, with market demand serving as the guiding principle.
Dong Thap currently has about 4,364 hectares of pomelo cultivation, with an annual output exceeding 65,000 tonnes. The province has been granted 23 planting areas with 31 codes, many of which have already exported to markets such as the US and the Republic of Korea.
Notably, one planting area has met all requirements for export to Australia, providing an important foundation for further market expansion in the coming years.
JOY SPREADS ACROSS POMELO ORCHARDS FOLLOWING EXPORT MILESTONE
Beyond its economic significance, the first export of Dong Thap pomelos to Australia has brought tangible excitement and optimism to farmers – those directly producing the fruit.
Mr. Le Van Son, a member of the My Phu hamlet farmers’ club in My Phong ward with many years of experience growing green-skin pomelos, said: “When we learned that Dong Thap pomelos were exported to Australia, fellow members and I were very delighted.”
He noted that Australian partners had visited orchards to inspect and provide guidance on standardised cultivation processes, helping farmers better understand technical requirements and apply them in production.
Sharing the same enthusiasm, Mr. Duong Thanh Hong, Deputy Head of the My Phu farmers’ club, said the group currently has 18 members cultivating around 14 hectares of green-skin pomelos.
In preparation for export, the club’s management board has actively guided members to adopt VietGAP standards and complete procedures for planting area codes.
According to Mr. Hong, Australian experts conducted on-site inspections, assessing various criteria such as sugar content, acidity, soil pH and fruit weight.
He added that obtaining planting area codes is a mandatory requirement for export eligibility. Initial assessments showed that the club’s pomelos largely meet the standards, opening up significant opportunities for export participation.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai, a farmer in Binh Ninh 1 hamlet, An Thanh Thuy commune, who has over 15 years of experience cultivating pomelos, expressed his joy, saying that participation in cooperative linkages and guidance on organic-oriented production have helped improve product quality.
Hearing the news of exports to Australia, he said, local farmers are hopeful for broader market access and more stable prices in the future.
The export of the first pomelo shipment to Australia not only generates economic value but also creates strong momentum for farmers, cooperatives and businesses to continue investing in quality improvement.
It also marks an important starting point for Dong Thap pomelos in particular and Vietnamese agricultural products in general to gradually conquer high-end markets worldwide.
By HUU THONG
Translated by X.QUANG
