Development of fruit and vegetable processing industry

According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, in 2024, the country's fruit and vegetable exports will reach more than 7.2 billion USD - a record number to date, 1.6 billion USD higher than in 2023. This leap is opening a new development path for the fruit and vegetable industry in the following years, aiming for an export turnover of 10 billion USD.

In Quang Ngai, each year, there are more than 17,300 hectares of vegetables and fruits, including more than 14,000 hectares of vegetables, mainly leafy vegetables, and 3,300 hectares of fruit trees, of which more than 2,300 hectares have produced products, with an estimated output of over 12,000 tons. However, most of the vegetables and fruits are sold fresh, with an insignificant processing rate.

Vice Chairman of Nghia Hanh District People's Committee Dam Bang said that compared to other key fruit growing areas in the country, Nghia Hanh fruit's advantage is off-season harvesting, especially durian and rambutan, so gardeners can supply fresh products to the market. However, in the long term, when the fruit growing area increases, along with ensuring quality, deep processing must be promoted to both increase added value and limit risks.

The lemon growing model in Duc Phu commune (Mo Duc) gives high productivity but the output is still unstable.

Because the province's fruit and vegetable output is mainly sold fresh, the province's vegetable products are not diversified (mainly leafy vegetables), leading to a situation of good harvest but low prices, affecting farmers' income. Therefore, the Provincial People's Committee issued Plan No. 62/KH-UBND dated April 8, 2022 on the implementation of the Project on developing the fruit and vegetable processing industry in the province, period 2022 - 2030. Accordingly, the goal by 2030 is to reduce post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables by an average of over 1%/year; over 50% of establishments processing and preserving exported fruits and vegetables will achieve advanced production technology and capacity; attract 3-5 enterprises to invest in fruit and vegetable processing in the province.

To effectively implement Plan 62, localities believe that the agricultural sector needs to plan, build, and form concentrated fruit and vegetable production areas, models, and projects linking production, processing, and consumption chains of fruit and vegetables. Prioritize the development of some key fruit and vegetable varieties that the locality has production advantages, and link with surrounding areas and localities to create large-scale, concentrated fruit and vegetable areas.

Vice Chairman of Tu Nghia District People's Committee Tran Thien Thanh suggested that it is necessary to well implement existing mechanisms and policies to facilitate and simplify procedures related to supporting the development of the fruit and vegetable processing and preservation industry; at the same time, promote investment attraction in advanced, modern, environmentally friendly processing facilities and create products with high added value. In addition, processing key fruit and vegetable products, products with high added value, shifting product structure from raw products to refined, deep-processed, and mixed-processed products to create high added value. In addition, the province needs to prioritize the development of local and regional specialties and OCOP products to stabilize and improve food quality and safety.

Article and photos: THANH PHONG

Source: https://baoquangngai.vn/kinh-te/nong-nghiep/202503/phat-trien-nganh-che-bien-rau-qua-da1165d/