The first shipment of longan exported by Song Ma conquers three significant markets

People's Committee of Song Ma District coordinated with cooperatives and businesses to export 40 tons of high-quality longan from the 2023 harvest to China, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.

China, the European Union, and the United Kingdom are the largest and most competitive markets for agricultural imports, requiring stringent standards. Therefore, the successful Song Ma Longan export event to other markets is a source of pride for the Song Ma district and the agricultural products of Vietnam in general.

Song Ma longan has met stringent criteria for food safety and quality, is recognized and approved by export partners, and has surpassed these standards. The result is a result of the collaboration and concentrated efforts of authorities as well as the unrelenting efforts of Song Ma farmers in elevating the quality of their products and solidifying their positions on the international market.

To prepare Song Ma longan for export, cultivation areas have increased production capacity, built a secure fruit area, and developed a link chain. The entire district consists of 48 planting code areas on a total area of 481,7 hectares, yielding 4,816 tons.

In addition, there are 73 cooperatives and 1 company operating in the field of agriculture, focusing primarily on longan; 47 cooperatives and 1 company producing safe fruit according to the VietGAP process with 50 chains of links, an area of 900.42 hectares, and an estimated yield of over 9,778 tons of fruit; 3,000 households dried longan and received instructions for clean heat drying to ensure longan consumption and processing, with an eye on the export market for higher value.

Modern agricultural techniques, with their emphasis on seed quality, care, and harvesting procedures, compliance with food safety standards, and attainment of pertinent certifications, also play a crucial role in establishing trust—confidence and assurance from international collaborators.

Mr. Nguyen Chi Thanh, Deputy Director of the Song Ma district's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated, "The entire Song Ma district has over 70 cooperatives that cultivate longan. Production in 2023 is anticipated to exceed 70,000 tons. The Song Ma district has currently consumed over 7,000 tons of longan. In particular this year, the market for longan consumption is more diverse; in addition to supermarkets, wholesale markets, and China, it exports to the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Hai, Vice Chairman of Song Ma District People's Committee, stated, "The development orientation of Song Ma district focuses on growing longan according to VietGAP standards, organically, applying high technology, and digital transformation for cooperatives; research on preliminary processing and packaging of products for export; supporting cooperatives and households to certify VietGAP for the first time, certifying OCOP products...

Concurrently, strengthen advertising and trade promotion at fairs, festivals, and supermarkets within and outside the province in order to promote the district's agricultural products and expand the market; strengthen propaganda and development orientation of concentrated raw material areas in order to improve safe and traceable products and enhance the Song Ma longan brand name".

The first two containers of 2023 have been loaded with 40 tons of high-quality longan en route to dominate leading markets. This is the result of Song Ma farmers' unrelenting efforts and the support of local government committees, cooperatives, and businesses, creating potential business opportunities and developing economic benefits for local people, and contributing to the promotion and validation of Vietnamese agricultural products brands on the international stage.