Participants included representatives from the Departments of Agriculture and Environment across the Mekong Delta, as well as research institutes, universities, associations, businesses, and coconut cooperatives in the region.

The forum is designed to analyze potential opportunities and barriers in coconut product exports, propose solutions to adapt to climate change, and enhance connectivity between state management, scientific research, production, processing, and consumption to develop the sector sustainably.

In his opening remarks, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Minh Hoa, Rector of Tra Vinh University, stated that Vietnam ranks among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of coconut cultivation area and output, with the Mekong Delta accounting for approximately 80%. However, the sector faces numerous challenges, including climate change, pests, and increasingly stringent international standards.

“This forum serves as a bridge between scientists and coconut growers, seeking solutions to improve production efficiency and meet the growing demands of domestic and international markets,” he said.

Statistics show that following administrative mergers, Vinh Long province has become the largest coconut-growing area in the country, with nearly 120,000 hectares, representing about 60% of the national total. By 2030, this area is expected to exceed 132,000 hectares.

Forum presentations emphasized that sustainable coconut development requires comprehensive strategies for crop health management, the development of new varieties, and improvement of productivity and raw material quality. Additionally, technical training for farmers, the promotion of organic cultivation models, and climate adaptation are crucial.

Notably, the forum also discussed “green” development pathways for the sector in the context of international integration. Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh, President of the Vietnam Coconut Association, stressed that safety and sustainability are inevitable trends, not only in cultivation techniques but also as a strategic direction for the entire industry.

“To develop the coconut sector, production must be centralized. Individual small-scale farming will not suffice. Large model farms are needed, with cultivation driven by market demand. For instance, enterprises define their development goals and contract with cooperatives that meet their standards and consumer needs. Fragmented production like today cannot ensure sustainable growth,” Thanh said.

Forum participants agreed that achieving the goal of “Safe and Green Vietnamese Coconut” requires coordinated efforts among the government, research institutes, universities, associations, and businesses to standardize raw material zones, enhance deep processing, enable traceability, and build a national brand for Vietnamese coconut products.

The program concluded with Tra Vinh University signing cooperation agreements with the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper, the Vietnam Coconut Association, the Ben Tre Coconut Association, and several enterprises and cooperatives to promote research, training, and technology transfer aimed at supporting sustainable development in the coconut sector in the coming period.

Vietnam ranks among world’s top five coconut exporters

VOV.VN - Vietnam has emerged as one of the world’s leading coconut exporters, ranking 4th in the Asia-Pacific and 5th globally, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE).

Can Vietnam stay in the world’s top 5 for coconut exports?

VOV.VN - With strong export growth and a top-five global ranking, Vietnam’s coconut industry is gaining international recognition, but sustainable success will depend on traceability, deep processing, and brand building.