From standardizing growing zones and controlling quality to building value-chain linkages, Dong Thap is step-by-step elevating its mango commodity sector and expanding export markets.

Standardizing growing zones, controlling quality

Following agricultural restructuring, mangoes are increasingly affirming their role as one of Dong Thap's key fruit tree commodity sectors. With an area of approximately 17,300 hectares yielding over 185,000 tons/year, the province's mango cultivation zones satisfy not only domestic consumption but also drive sizable export growth.

Dong Thap mangoes currently feature three core varieties: Hoa Loc mango, Cao Lanh Cat Chu mango, and green-skin Tuong mango, concentrated across specialized farming areas such as Cao Lanh Ward, An Huu Commune, Thanh Hung Commune, and Cao Lanh... Products are distributed through diverse channels, from traditional wet markets and wholesale hubs to modern retail systems, processing plants, and overseas markets.

However, to sharpen competitive advantages, the priority is no longer merely expanding cultivation area, but reorganizing production toward standardization and strictly controlling quality directly from raw material zones.

According to Mr. Le Chi Thien, Deputy Director of the Dong Thap Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, the agricultural sector is guiding growers to apply advanced production processes such as VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and food safety standards. Concurrently, technical solutions are deployed to reduce production costs, elevate quality, and satisfy export market mandates.

To date, Dong Thap has registered 10,030.17 hectares of mangoes across 353 growing area codes. Hundreds of packaging, primary processing, and processing facilities have been granted approval codes for formal exports. This establishes a vital foundation to control raw material supplies, trace origin, and meet increasingly stringent international market requirements.

Across multiple specialized cultivation zones, farmers have joined cooperatives and collaborative groups, partnering with exporting enterprises to execute origin traceability, adhere to production protocols, and monitor food hygiene and safety. Many growers have also shifted toward organic fertilizers, fruit bagging, reducing pesticide applications, and deploying off-season flowering techniques to maintain year-round mango supplies.

Alongside growing area codes, Dong Thap emphasizes intellectual property assets and product branding. In 2019, the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam granted the Geographical Indication Registration Certificate for "Cao Lanh" covering Cat Chu and Cat mango varieties within Cao Lanh Ward and adjacent localities.

Managing and developing the "Cao Lanh" Geographical Indication linked with quality control and export growing area codes continues to be executed under the Intellectual Property Development Program through 2030. The Cao Lanh mango brand has also established its presence in modern retail networks including Co.opmart, Big C, MM Mega Market, Vinmart…

Value-chain linkages to expand market reach

Standardizing growing zones is a prerequisite, but for the mango industry to develop sustainably, Dong Thap must also resolve linkage dynamics among farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises. This serves as the decisive factor in sustaining consistent quality, stable output, and fulfilling export purchase orders.

In My Tho Commune, Mr. Doan Thanh Hien is among the farmers actively transforming cultivation methods. Shifting from conventional farming, he transitioned to VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and recently piloted organic production guided by scientists and agricultural experts.

According to Mr. Hien, altering production practices is not simply switching fertilizers or pesticides, but reshaping the overall perspective on orchard ecosystems. Chemical fertilizers are minimized, pest controls are primarily bio-based and herbal, while beekeeping within orchards is integrated to aid natural pollination.

"Practicing organic farming means productivity or cosmetic appearance may at times fall short of previous methods, but mango eating quality is noticeably superior. What I see most clearly is healthier soil, more resilient trees, and improved personal safety for direct cultivators like myself. Modern agriculture cannot focus solely on yield; it must prioritize intrinsic quality and long-term sustainability," Mr. Hien shared.

Beyond fresh fruit exports, Dong Thap is expanding deep processing to raise product value. In the mango-growing hub of Cao Lanh Ward, Tuan Dat Agricultural Product Processing Company developed soft-dried mango products.

Mr. Pham Vo Chi Thong, Production Director of the company's branch—Tuan Dat Agricultural Product Processing Company, stated: The enterprise currently procures an average of 20–30 tons of mangoes daily, primarily Cat Chu and Hoa Loc varieties. During peak harvests, mangoes are quick-frozen to proactively secure raw materials for year-round fulfillment.

The enterprise's soft-dried mango products are distributed across China, Russia, Japan, and the domestic market via supermarket networks, retail channels, and e-commerce platforms. Advancing processed items not only expands off-take channels for mangoes, but also utilizes fruit lots that do not meet aesthetic grading for fresh export.

Mr. Phan Quoc Nam, Commercial Director of Long Uyen Co., Ltd., an enterprise specializing in exporting agricultural products and frozen fruits in Dong Thap, noted that the company has six years of experience procuring mangoes for export to developed markets, with Cat Chu mangoes highly favored by international consumers.

Mango exports currently follow two primary pathways: fresh fruit and processing raw materials. Fresh exports demand high quality and strict pesticide residue controls. For processing mangoes, cosmetic criteria are less stringent, but compliance with food safety, authorized pesticide usage, and pre-harvest withdrawal periods remains mandatory.

The enterprise has partnered with growers to establish raw material zones and guide compliant production workflows to generate uniform, high-quality yields. However, forming stable supply bases still faces challenges because contracted linkage volumes remain modest, falling short of enterprise capacity demands.

Dong Thap mangoes have penetrated numerous international markets, including China, the United States, the Russian Federation, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and South Korea. Alongside fresh exports, processing activities and digital commerce operations are opening up new consumption channels.

Source: Bao Nong nghiep va Moi truong