Custard-apple is a valuable tree in the province, helping people in Chi Lang District earn billions of dong every year. In 2011, the fruit was officially awarded the certificate of product registration, promoting domestic and foreign consumption.
Director of the Trade Promotion Centre of Agriculture Dao Van Ho said the promotion programme of Son La specialties was a bridge connecting Chi Lang custard-apple to people of Ha Noi. This would help consumers identify the brand and distinguish Chi Lang custard-apple from similar products on the market.
“This is also an opportunity for cooperatives and production facilities to promote products and access local markets, conduct direct transactions and contact with purchasing, wholesale and export enterprises,” Ho said.
“Lang Son businesses expect to seek partners and sign contracts during this week,” he added.
Deputy Chairman of Lang Son Province Ho Tien Thieu said many products of the province had been sold in supermarkets and major cities of Viet Nam. To achieve this result, local farmers have paid attention to the production chain including seedlings, production process, harvest and processing with the participation of co-operatives and businesses. “All have been implemented following standards.”
“Viet Nam’s agricultural products are mainly exported to China. However, there are still many types of fruits not yet in the list exported to China, such as Chi Lang custard-apple,” Thieu said.
“Therefore, it will be difficult to consume the fruit,” he added.
Thieu said Lang Son Province expected the ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development and Industry and Trade to speed up negotiations with authorised agencies of China to accept the Lang Son specialties, creating favourable conditions for other agricultural products of Viet Nam such as custard-apple, durian and black agar to enter the Chinese market, contributing to raising the agricultural products’ value and increasing farmers’ income.
With the scale of 100 booths, the event has gathered many representatives of co-operatives and gardeners of Lang Son Province.
There are also specialties from other provinces of Viet Nam, including Hung Yen longan, Van Yen cinnamon, Hai Hau rice, Tan Cuong tea, vegetable and fruits of Moc Chau in the northern mountain province of Hoa Binh and Phu Quoc fish sauce. — VNS
