Official bird's nest export to China - good news for farmers and businesses

Tien Giang province has a long-standing and well-developed commercial swiftlet farming model in the Vietnam Mekong Delta region. Farmers and businesses are excited at the news of official bird's nest export to the Chinese market because their output will be more favorable in the future. This is also a strong driving force for the development of the swiftlet farming model.

Bài liên quan

The door to China is now wide open for Vietnamese swiftlet’s nest

Mr. Dinh Van Tao, a farmer in Long Hoa hamlet, Quan Long commune, Cho Gao district, Tien Giang province, owner of 2 five-year-old swiftlet houses, was happy with the model because it is more effective compared to farming. Upon hearing that Vietnamese bird's nest is granted official export to the Chinese market, many local swiftlet farmers including Mr. Tao were very excited. Mr. Dinh Van Tao shared that a  kilogram of raw bird's nest can be sold at nearly 20 million VND. Each swiftlet house yields nearly 2kg of raw bird's nest monthly, bringing in a profit of over 30 million VND. "If Vietnamese bird's nest are exported officially, the prices will go up, it's very profitable", Mr. Tao confided.

The commercial swiftlet farming model has recently developed strongly in Tien Giang province. The province has over 1,500 swiftlet houses, concentrated mainly in: Go Cong town, Go Cong Dong district, Go Cong Tay, Cho Gao and My Tho city. Each swiftlet house has an investment capital of at least 1 billion VND, depending on the design scale. Many well-known billionaires have made a fortune from swiftlet farming such as: Muoi Thiet, Ba Tien, Tam Nhu, Tho Son, etc.

However, due to domestic consumption and reliance on small quota export, the value of Vietnamese bird's nest has been relatively low. Raw bird's nest is currently priced at approximately 20 million VND/kg, first grade preliminarily processed bird's nest is priced at 35 million VND/kg. After the Covid-19 pandemic was controlled, bird's nest output in Vietnam has recovered and rose sharply.

Mr. Le Quang Hung, Director of Hung Hau Private Company in Vinh Binh town, Go Cong Tay district, Tien Giang province - a business specializing in raising and preliminarily processing bird's nests, was also excited at the news of official bird's nest export to the Chinese market. Mr. Hau reported that the company has 4 swiftlet houses, with a monthly output of nearly 40 kg of raw bird's nest. He affirmed that official export of bird's nest to China will increase its price.

Mr. Hung shared that the prices for bird's nests before official export were extremely unstable. If the bird's nest meets export standards, the raw nest must be rated at grade 1 or higher, and it must be sterilized. The harvest and preservation of the nest must be conducted carefully; and the nest must be stored in a separate room, to not be contaminated with toxic gases, or oxidized.

In order to serve the increasing needs of domestic consumers and exports, bird's nest processing facilities and businesses have invested in advanced machinery, improved product quality, established competitive brands.

Tri Son Trading and Service Co., Ltd in Dao Thanh Commune, My Tho City, Tien Giang Province is a company specializing in raising and supplying bird's nests as well as processing bird's nest products to serve the domestic market and export. This company is currently managing over 20 swiftlet houses in Tien Giang, Long An, and Ben Tre provinces. In order to develop the value chain of bird's nest production, Mr. Son built a factory to process products from bird's nest. Additionally, the company linked production and consumption with more than 100 swiftlet farming households; purchasing over 100 kilogram of bird's nest every month for these households.

So far, Tri Son Trading Service Co., Ltd has produced over 40 premium products from bird's nest including: refined bird's nest, Freeze-dried bird's nest, instant brewed bird's nest, bird's nest yogurt, bird's nest cake, herbal bird's nest juice, bird's nest wine. Tri Son's bird's nest products all meet ISO 22000:2018, HACCP standards. According to Mr. Bui Bang Son, Director of Tri Son Trading and Service Co., Ltd., the business develops in its own direction, focusing on improving quality, creating unique products according to the OCOP program and serving the Chinese market.

Tri Son company currently has 18 products recognized as OCOP; including 2 3-star products, and the remaining are 4-star. The company recently signed a cooperation agreement on technology and scientific research transfer for bird's nests with Ho Chi Minh city University of Food Industry. This cooperation agreement aims to bring products with higher nutritional value to consumers. Tri Son company will continue to research for new products in the form of bird's nest, liquefied bird's nest, and extract nutrients from bird's nest using enzyme technology.

Mr. Bui Bang Son added: Technology application will create different products that are beneficial to the consumers' health. On the other hand, the company will promote domestic and export trade programs. Subsequently, the company will consult and build bird nests for customers, give advice on harvesting, raising and purchasing bird's nests to stabilize output.

In addition to durian and sweet potatoes, bird's nest has been accepted for official export to China. This is an excellent opportunity for farmers, businesses in Vietnam as well as the model of bird's nest farming in Tien Giang province. Bird's nest will continue to extend its reach if the products' quality constantly improve and remain beneficial for human health.