Locals and businesses visit the display area for longans and traditional products in Tân Hưng Commune. — VNA/VNS Photo Mạnh Khánh

HƯNG YÊN — As the longan harvest season draws near, cooperatives, farmers and businesses in Hưng Yên Province are ramping up efforts to expand sales networks and secure stable markets for the province’s signature fruit.

This year’s crop spans around 5,800ha and is forecast to yield 50,000 tonnes — a 20–25 per cent increase compared to last year.

In response, local authorities are prioritising the development of a sustainable value chain, from production and processing to distribution. The dual aim is to enhance product value and solidify the reputation of Hưng Yên longan in both domestic and export markets.

Cooperatives are at the heart of this drive, acting as vital links between growers and buyers including traders, supermarkets and international exporters.

According to the Hưng Yên Cooperative Alliance, the province now has 992 cooperatives, 25 of which specialise in longan cultivation, representing 313 members. These organisations offer technical training, support production under VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards, invest in modern packaging and actively promote products via trade fairs, social media and e-commerce platforms.

Tân Hưng Commune, one of Hưng Yên’s largest longan-producing areas with 330ha under cultivation and an estimated annual output of 10,000 tonnes, is leading the way in cooperative-business linkages.

At the recent 2025 Tân Hưng longan and traditional products promotion workshop, several purchase agreements were signed between cooperatives and enterprises, opening up new opportunities for both domestic distribution and export.

According to Trương Quốc Trân, Chairman of Tân Hưng Commune People’s Committee, the commune’s 16 agricultural cooperatives produce not only fresh longan but also processed goods such as dried longan, cassava starch, and honey. Many of these products have been recognised under the One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme and granted geographical indication certification.

Director of the Tiên Châu Phố Hiến Longan Cooperative Nguyễn Quang Điện noted that the cooperative has gradually shifted from traditional to VietGAP-certified and organically oriented farming, producing safe, clean longans that meet both domestic and international standards.

This year, its 23ha of orchards are expected to produce over 400 tonnes, with premium varieties making up about 35 per cent. Several companies have already placed substantial orders.

Similarly, the Tân Hưng Fruit and Agricultural Products Processing Cooperative, which oversees 27ha of longan and other specialities, has long-term contracts with nearly 30 enterprises. Through innovation and a keen focus on market demand, its 148 members earn VNĐ200–300 million annually on average, with some households reaching as much as VNĐ500 million.

Cooperatives in other districts are also diversifying their sales strategies by harnessing social media to promote certified longan varieties and reach wider consumer bases. — VNS