Expanding Vegetable Seed Export Markets
Beyond producing vegetables, flowers and agricultural commodities, Lam Dong is developing vegetable seed production for export. Expanding international markets requires removing technical barriers, particularly Pest Risk Analysis (PRA).
High-value seeds
In the agricultural production chain, seeds are a critical input that directly determines crop yields, product quality and overall value. Given the stringent requirements for production processes, quality control and phytosanitary conditions, seed production offers Lam Dong a promising avenue for increasing the value of its agricultural sector.
Among local vegetable seed producers, Bejo Vietnam Co., Ltd. is a notable example. Each year, the company produces around 4,000–8,000 kg of vegetable seeds, including tomato, bell pepper, chili, cucumber and zucchini seeds, for export.
Seeds produced in Lam Dong are subsequently distributed through domestic and international business networks. This demonstrates that the province not only has an advantage in commodity agricultural production but is also capable of participating in a more technically demanding segment of the agricultural value chain.
According to the Lam Dong Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province currently has eight registered growing-area codes, with each crop producing between 4,600 and 8,000 kg of chili and tomato seeds. Combined with local production capacity, the distribution of vegetable seeds to markets such as the Netherlands, France and the United States shows that the sector is gradually developing into a high-value agricultural production segment.
Building on its existing production base, expanding export markets is considered a promising direction. However, for seeds, market expansion depends not only on production capacity and product quality but also on meeting the phytosanitary requirements of individual importing countries.
Removing Technical Barriers to Reach New Markets
Beyond the United States and the European Union, Mexico and other Latin American countries are among the markets targeted by businesses seeking to expand the distribution of seeds produced in Vietnam. However, entering these markets requires products to meet strict phytosanitary requirements imposed by importing countries.
According to the Lam Dong Department of Agriculture and Environment, the distribution of seeds produced in Vietnam to Mexico, Venezuela and Ecuador has yet to be implemented because the Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) requirements of these countries have not yet been approved and put into effect.
PRA is a key technical requirement used to assess the risk of pests potentially being carried by imported and exported goods and to determine the necessary phytosanitary measures. It is therefore not merely a procedure for businesses, but also involves technical exchanges between the plant protection authorities of exporting and importing countries.
“Based on this situation, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has asked the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection to consider supporting businesses with procedures and processes for market expansion; providing guidance and implementing technical activities related to PRA; and facilitating technical exchanges with the plant protection authorities of importing countries,” said Vu Dinh Cuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment.
According to Vu Dinh Cuong, the province is also proposing that this issue be included in working programs and plans with Mexico, Venezuela and Ecuador, thereby promoting the assessment and approval of PRA requirements and creating conditions for seeds produced in Vietnam to enter these markets.
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Expanding markets would not only create outlets for seeds produced in Lam Dong but could also encourage businesses to invest more deeply in research and breeding, develop certified production areas and strengthen their competitiveness.