The Vietnamese agriculture and aquaculture are among the key production sectors, which have been growing substantially over the last two decades. However, a key challenge the sector faces, is meeting the demands of export markets for high quality, safe, clean and especially organic products.
“International customers expect a very high quality of Vietnamese shrimp and other products, through time, they trend to go to green food, of which organic products are more prioritized”, Dr. Christian Henckes, Program Director of the Integrated Coastal Management Program (ICMP) implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German and Australian Government said during the event titled “Organic Vietnam: Development trends” held in the Southern-most province of Ca Mau on March 27th-28th.
There is a high potential for organic production in Vietnam, however the sector is still facing a lot of challenges. Especially market demand and farming practices need to be improved. How to promote green production remains the key question.
Photo for illustration (Source: Le Quan/http://news.zing.vn)
According to Le Van Su, Vice Chairman of Ca Mau provincial People’s Committee, green growth is a very high priority for the development in Ca Mau, since Ca Mau has an advantage of natural mangroves, Ca Mau’s policy is to encourage the private sector and farmers towards sustainable production, with organic production being among the key measures.
Ca Mau shrimp currently had large areas certified by Naturland, EU organics and different standards which contribute to increasing the benefit and value for producers in particular and economic development in general.
For the market, Sai Gon Co.op is one of the biggest retailers in the nation which is committed to set up a part of their business to stabilize the organic sector and to foster future growth, by a series of interconnected activities at all levels of the supply chain.
The workshop also received positive comments from over 80 participants from Government agencies, private sector, international organisations and farmers, affirming that organic production will be the green way forward which can bring a higher value to Vietnamese products globally, such organic tiger shrimp, and help to protect the coast of the Mekong Delta./.
Since its start in 1999, based mainly on joint Vietnamese-European projects and initiatives, organic farming in Vietnam has developed positively. An important driver has been the increasing demand for organic seafood by European retailers. In addition, there is a growing demand for safe and organic foods by Vietnamese consumers as well.
Despite an economic rapid growth, stabilization of the Vietnamese organic sector all along the value chain will be essential to foster future growth.