Binh Thuan and Ninh Thuan promise to increase the quality of dragon fruit, grapes, apples... sold to Ho Chi Minh City.

Sorting dragon fruit at a business in Binh Thuan - Photo: N.TRI

With the characteristics of a strong local supply of grapes, apples, and dragon fruit, each year the two provinces of Binh Thuan and Ninh Thuan export thousands of tons to Ho Chi Minh City. However, the quality of the products is still unstable.

Supply control will be increased in many localities.

Speaking with Tuoi Tre Online on August 4, a representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade said that the city government and supermarket systems are and will introduce many policies and work more with the provinces to improve the quality of agricultural products and food brought to the city for consumption.

Accordingly, in addition to the vegetable group in Lam Dong, suppliers of Binh Thuan dragon fruit, Ninh Thuan apples and grapes have just been informed by retailers about regulations on increasing quality control and increasing sanctions for violations; and in the near future, this dissemination will be implemented with the vegetable, fruit and seafood groups in the Southwest region...

"We can make good products to export to other countries, so there is no reason not to make good products to serve the domestic market. We need to seriously control the origin and quality of products," Mr. Nguyen Nguyen Phuong - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized.

According to Mr. Tran Quoc Sanh - Deputy Director of Ninh Thuan Department of Industry and Trade, the province has 980.3 hectares of grapes with an output of nearly 15,000 tons and 1,100 hectares of apples, with an output of 25,700 tons per year. Currently, these two main products are distributed nationwide, especially mainly to Ho Chi Minh City.

"We are stepping up support and encouraging growers to increase production of quality products, introduce safe products to affirm their brands, and expand output in Ho Chi Minh City. In particular, through the supply-demand connection program between Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces, more Ninh Thuan products will be sold in the city's supermarket system," Mr. Sanh shared.

Recently, in Ninh Thuan, some suppliers of grapes and apples have signed contracts with the distribution system to consume and improve product quality - Photo: NT

Meanwhile, with the strength of dragon fruit, Mr. Huynh Canh - Chairman of Binh Thuan Dragon Fruit Association, said that the total area of ​​dragon fruit in the province is currently about 27,000 hectares, of which nearly 2,000 hectares produce clean dragon fruit, mainly for export. However, with domestic demand increasing sharply, the locality is aiming to increase quality supply for the domestic market, especially Ho Chi Minh City.

Buy at a higher price, the supermarket will have quality goods

Regarding the need for supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City to increase quality control of goods, Mr. Huynh Canh said that this is necessary. However, according to Mr. Canh, in reality, many supermarkets, due to price competition, only prioritize buying popular products. Therefore, quality goods are almost difficult to consume in the domestic market, but are mainly used for export.

"With dragon fruit, producing quality products is not difficult, mainly because consumers are easy-going, so growers are subjective and do not improve quality.

Supermarkets also need to set higher standards, increase the quality of purchased goods, and purchase prices must be higher so that people have the motivation to make good products," said Mr. Canh.

As one of the retail units that signed a commitment to cooperate in controlling the quality of goods in Ho Chi Minh City, speaking with Tuoi Tre Online on August 4, Mr. Dau Nhu Anh - purchasing director of Bach Hoa Xanh fruit industry, confirmed that he is working with a series of suppliers in the provinces to improve the quality of imported goods.

Ninh Thuan is supplying the market with more than 15,000 tons of grapes each year - Photo: N.TRI

Accordingly, with the annual purchase of Ninh Thuan apples and grapes of about 3,500-4,000 tons, expected to increase to 5,000 tons by 2025, and Binh Thuan dragon fruit of about 2,000 tons, Bach Hoa Xanh is focusing on improving the quality in key growing areas. Specifically, not only the story of origin, but the supplier also ensures factors such as harvesting vegetables and fruits at the right age, no pesticide residues, and enough sweetness...

Meanwhile, many large retail systems such as Saigon Co.op, MM Mega Market... also said they are working with more agricultural and food suppliers in the provinces to improve the quality of purchased products.

However, some retailers believe that to have quality products, the import price is high, the selling price will be high. Therefore, it will be more convenient if consumers understand and support good quality products.

More distributors join the deal

According to the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City, in addition to the 6 retail systems including Saigon Co. op, Central Retail Vietnam, MM Mega Market, Bach Hoa Xanh, Aeon Vietnam and Satra that previously signed the agreement "Cooperation in controlling the quality of goods in Ho Chi Minh City", there are now 2 more major retailers participating.

With this agreement, many regulations are applied in common such as the parties agree to only produce or purchase products that meet common standards; the distribution system will immediately inspect if unsafe products are detected; import/distribution/business will be temporarily suspended; suppliers violating in one system will not be allowed to sell to the remaining systems...

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/binh-thuan-ninh-thuan-hua-tang-chat-luong-thanh-long-nho-tao-ban-vao-tp-hcm-20240805011955887.htm