Illustrative image (Source: VNA) On the global market, fruits andvegetables account for over 59 percent of the total and are predicted to grow2.88 percent for the 2016-2021 period, reported the Institute of Policy andStrategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD).
Nguyen Duc Loc from the IPSARDsaid the demand for certified produce is growing. Over the past years, Vietnamhas strived to improve the quality and hygiene of GAP certified products andissued regional codes for quality ones.
However, Vietnam still meetsdifficulties regarding fruits and vegetables preservation while connectivitybetween producers and businesses remains loose.
A representative from the PanGroup said the government targets restructuring agriculture towards a growth of3.5- 4 percent from 2016-2020, with a focus on high-tech farming, but alsoadmitted that the domestic farm produce quality management system and origintracking capability remain weak.
Nigel Smith, General Director ofthe Fine Fruit Asia, said fruit is gaining the upper hand in regional exportsand Vietnam is one of the important partners in ASEAN.
He suggested diversifying fruitsand vegetables to ease reliance on China, and developing partnership betweenbusinesses, farmers and the government at the regional and sectoral level sothat Vietnam’s fruits and vegetables could compete well in internationalmarket.-VNA
VNA
