Tien Giang (VNA) – The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang celebrated the inaugural shipment of green-skinned "tuong" (elephant) mangoes to the US at a ceremony held on March 19 in Cai Be district’s An Huu commune, renowned for specialised mango cultivation.
One tonne of the staple was exported through a partnership between the VINA T&T Import – Export Trading Service Co., Ltd and the Thanh Binh Agricultural Products Import – Export Trading Co., Ltd.
Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Pham Van Trong stressed that the event not only marks a new step forward in the local agricultural sector’s trade promotion efforts but also contributes to enhancing the value of Vietnamese agricultural products in international markets.
The official shipment of the fruit followed extensive negotiations between Vietnamese and US authorities, creating new pathways for local produce to reach the world, he stated.
Trong asked relevant departments to complete plans for expanding mango cultivation areas tailored to local soil conditions, and make appropriate infrastructure investments. He added Cai Be district must guide farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises on traceability protocols and production standards like VietGAP and GlobalGAP to ensure food safety and quality for exports, while properly managing production unit codes and packing facilities.
Tien Giang recorded about 6.5 billion USD in total export turnover in 2024, a 19.45% increase from the previous year, with agricultural and aquatic products accounting for 11.08% of this figure. Building on this foundation, it eyes some 7 billion USD in exports in 2025, a year-on-year rise of 7.41%, the official went on.
To that end, the province will roll out measures focusing on improving the competitive edge of key exports, according to Trong.
Early indicators for 2025 show promising growth, with nearly 4,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables exported to date, generating 8.5 million USD, up nearly 24% in volume and more than 56% in value as compared to the same time last year. Local agricultural products have been present in multiple international markets including China, the EU, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the US.
According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, Tien Giang boasts over 88,000 hectares of fruit trees, yielding more than 1.8 million tonnes annually. Of this, mango cultivation covers over 2,000 hectares with an annual output exceeding 50,000 tonnes. Cai Be district, located in the upstream area of the Tien River, is billed as the province's mango capital, producing renowned varieties including Cat Hoa Loc mango, green-skinned elephant mango, and Cat Chu mango.
This export milestone promises significant opportunities for local mangoes to enter global markets more deeply, generating foreign currency revenue and helping farmers in specialised growing areas secure sustainable livelihoods./.
VNA
