This was confirmed by Japanese agricultural experts after a series of field trips and surveys to Lam Dong Province. The challenges mainly lie in distribution channels and the application of high-tech agriculture, which have been receiving support from Japanese experts for years.
Over half of the 1,000 tonnes of vegetables produced by this farm is scheduled for export to Japan. According to farmers, they can now enjoy higher prices and more stable contracts compared to just trading domestically.
“Japan imports vegetables mainly from the EU and Korea. Normally it takes some 45 days to deliver vegetables from the EU to Japan, while it only takes 7-9 days from Vietnam. Pricing is also our competitive advantage.”, said Le Van Cuong – Dalat GAP Ltd.
Japan has proven itself as a potential market for vegetable exports. It is currently the biggest market in Asia in terms of vegetable and flower consumption. Japan's agriculture imports account for 60-70% of the total figure in Asia.
Meanwhile, Lam Dong Province produces 2 million tonnes of vegetables and 2 billion flowers each year.
“The biggest advantage of Lam Dong's agriculture sector lies in its capacity to produce all year round. Our agro import from Lam Dong remains limited, but I think Lam Dong's fresh vegetables will be more favored in the time to come”, said Ryojy Kato - Ota Floricul Auction Co., Japan.
In the Vietnam-Japan agricultural development strategy initiated in 2014, Lam Dong partnered with Japan to enhance its high-tech agricultural development. Initiatives included in this partnership are farming technology, processing techniques and branding agricultural products.
Lam Dong Province in turn has built an industrial-agricultural center to attract Japanese investors. Currently, 11 out of 100 FDI projects in Lam Dong are from Japanese investors.
“We are trying to adapt their advanced planting techniques as well as their management models so that we can later transfer these enhancements to local producers”, said Nguyen Van Yen - Vice Chairman of Lam Dong Province People's Committee
Lam Dong Province has embraced high-technology in their agriculture production. 43,000 hectares have utilised high-tech agriculture, accounting for 16% of the total arable land. This will be the first step for Lam Dong's vegetable and flower sector to adapt more professional and methodical activities, thereby enhancing their eligibility for further exports to Japan.
