DongNai (VNA) – A ceremony was held in thesouthern province of Dong Nai on June 16 to announce the export of the first batch of durianthis year in accordance with a protocol signed between theVietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the GeneralAdministration of Customs of China.
Accordingly,six firms have been granted codes of export to China via Tan Thanh, Huu Nghi and Mong Cai border gates, with 20 containers carrying 360tonnes of durian of Dona and Ri6 varieties,which were harvested from six different cultivation areas and packaged at sixprocessing facilities.
Chairmanof the provincial People’s Committee Vo Van Phi described durian as one of the key crops in the province. Itis projected that Dong Nai will export 20,000 tonnes of durian from 11 growingareas covering 820ha this year.
On this occasion, a display area introduced durians for visitorsto taste and a seminar was held to discuss improving quality standards and competitivenessof durian export to China.
Earlier on June 15, the Long Khanh fruit festival and the week honouring fruits and OCOP (One Commune, One Product) items opened in LongKhanh city, Dong Nai province.
Theweek, held by the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Developmentand the Long Khanh municipal People’s Committee, featured 40 stalls showcasing localsignature fruits and farm produce.
In particular, over 2.3 tonnes of rambutan will be used to serve visitors free of charge.
Running until June 23, the festival serves as a meeting pointfor managers, scientists, businesses and farmers to share knowledge, learn fromeach other, expand networking and markets, especially for fruits and OCOPproducts, while promoting the development of eco-agricultural tourism.
With a total area of over 11,300 ha, Dong Nairanks first in the southeastern region and fourth nationwide in terms of durian cultivationarea. The harvested area covers nearly 6,600ha, and it is estimated that the fruitproduction will reach around 69,000 tonnes this year.
Dong Nai has actively developed cultivationarea codes and export packaging facilities for the Chinese market. At present,the province has 11 durian growing areas sprawling 820ha./.