Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Dong Nai (VNA) – A company in Dinh Quan district, in the southern province of Dong Nai, has recently exported 12 tonnes of cocoa mass to the Republic of Korea and one ton of chocolate made from Vietnamese-grown cocoa to Japan.
From June, the Trong Duc cocoa company will ship one batch each per month.
This is the first time the company has exported products made from domestically-produced cocoa to developed countries.
Dang Tuong Khanh, Director of the company, said it will continue investing more in machinery and research to diversify cocoa-derived products and expand its markets to Asia and Europe.
Last year, the firm signed contracts with 235 farming households in Dong Nai, Binh Thuan and Lam Dong provinces to buy their fresh cocoa fruit at prices of 5,700 – 6,000 VND per kg – 1,000 VND above the market level; while assisting farmers in seedlings, techniques and links with fertiliser providers to offer deferred payment.
So far, half of the 235 households have been licensed with UTZ certificates.
Between now and later this year, the company plans to contract a further 400ha of cocoa cultivation and ensures that all cocoa farming households meet UTZ requirements.-VNA
