Vietnam's Dong Thap farmers export hundreds of tonnes of seedless limes to Europe annually

Pham Van Niem, a farmer in Dong Thap Province's My Hiep Commune, has found a steady market for the seedless limes grown on his 9,000-square-meter orchard.

Niem cultivates 9,000 square meters of seedless limes under GlobalGAP standards, with an export company purchasing his entire output at market-based prices of no less than VND10,000 (US$0.38) per kilogram.

During the current off-season, he harvests around 300-350 kilograms every 20 days, as production slows.

"This variety requires relatively little pesticide and fertilizer, and it takes about three months from flowering to harvest," Niem said.

The company purchases limes weighing between 50 and 110 grams each for export, depending on customer orders.

Lime prices have risen by around VND4,000 ($0.15) per kilogram over the past month as off-season supplies have tightened.

European demand exceeds supply

Niem is among the farmers benefiting from export partnerships established through the My Long Agricultural Services Cooperative.

Le Van Nam, chairman of the cooperative, said it partnered with an export company to ship 210 tonnes of fresh seedless limes to Europe in 2025.

The cooperative currently oversees 40 hectares of lime cultivation, including 22 hectares dedicated to exports.

Its fresh seedless limes have earned GlobalGAP certification and a three-star rating under Vietnam's One Commune One Product (OCOP) program, helping the cooperative reach overseas markets.

Demand from overseas markets has outstripped available supply, Nam said.

Over the past two weeks, lime prices have climbed by around VND4,000 to VND14,000 ($0.15-0.53) per kilogram.

Cooperative members receive an additional VND3,000 ($0.11) per kilogram, while the cooperative guarantees a minimum purchase price of VND8,000 ($0.3) per kilogram.

Turning fresh limes into higher-value products

Beyond fresh fruit exports, the cooperative is seeking to generate more value from locally grown limes through processed products.

It has sold around 12,000 bottles of concentrated lime juice with honey through domestic trade promotion programs and e-commerce platforms.

The product has also been showcased at trade promotion events in China, Laos, and Thailand as the cooperative explores opportunities to enter overseas markets.

Using technology transferred by Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, the cooperative produces concentrated lime juice that has received a four-star OCOP rating and recognition as an outstanding rural industrial product of Dong Thap Province.

The product also received an award from the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance in 2024, while the cooperative won first prize in a provincial innovation and entrepreneurship competition in 2025.

Nam said the cooperative is seeking financial support to purchase equipment for developing additional products, including lime peel powder, essential oils, soap, and microbial preparations for use in crop cultivation.