Vietnam's Vinh Long targets $1bn in coconut exports, five processing projects

Vinh Long Province in southern Vietnam represents nearly 62 percent of the country's coconut-growing area, making it the nation's largest coconut-growing region.

The province has more than 122,000 hectares of coconut plantations, equivalent to about 22.6 million trees, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment. 

Of the total, about 114,000 hectares are bearing trees, accounting for nearly 93 percent of the planted area.

The province's extensive and concentrated coconut-growing area provides a large raw material base for deep processing, helping meet growing demand from export markets.

According to the department, coconuts are no longer valued only for their fresh fruit but are increasingly processed through an integrated value chain.

Products ranging from coconut water, flesh and oil to shells, husks, peat and timber are used to manufacture food, cosmetics, biomaterials and biomass energy products, thereby generating higher added value. 

Coconut products from Vinh Long are now exported to about 90 countries and territories.

Alongside product diversification, the province is also expanding organic cultivation. 

Organic certification has helped local coconuts gain access to premium markets while increasing returns for growers.

The province currently has about 31,000 hectares of certified organic coconut plantations, producing nearly 338 million coconuts a year. 

Its coconut products meet export standards in major markets including the United States, the European Union, and Japan.

Vinh Long has also been granted more than 220 growing area codes for coconut exports, while nearly 30 packing facilities have been approved by China's customs authorities. 

The province is continuing to expand cultivation areas to meet traceability requirements.

According to the provincial authorities, Vinh Long is pursuing a green, circular, and modern development strategy for its coconut industry.

By 2030, the province aims to expand coconut plantations to 132,000 hectares and increase output to 1.72 million metric tons, with half of the growing area certified organic and assigned growing area codes.

To achieve those targets, Vinh Long plans to attract at least five deep-processing projects, increase the value of its coconut processing industry by more than 10 percent annually, and raise coconut exports to $1 billion. 

By 2045, Vinh Long aims to have a fully developed modern coconut industry ecosystem.