The first batch of Vietnamese mangoes was shipped to the US by the air on April 18. — Photo nld.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — The Mekong Delta province of Đồng Tháp has become the first locality in Việt Nam to export mangoes to the US, according to an announcement on April 18.

Nguyễn Thị Hồng Thu, director of Chánh Thu Fruits Import and Export Ltd Co, said the company shipped the first batch of eight tonnes of mangoes to the US by air on April 18. The batch came from the Mỹ Xương Mango Cooperative in Đồng Tháp.

At present, the company has managed over 25 regions growing all kinds of fruit over an area of nearly 400ha, including 175ha of mango under construction.

In addition, the company has worked with many cooperatives growing fruits, including the Mỹ Xương mango cooperative and the Bình Phước Xuân in An Giang Province.

At a ceremony announcing the first mango exports to the US on April 18, Nguyễn Thanh Hùng, vice chairman of the People’s Committee of Đồng Tháp, said the province is home to 9,200ha of mangoes, producing 100,000 tonnes per year, topping the Mekong Delta region.

Mangoes are among the province’s five key products to be boosted for export.

Đồng Tháp has applied Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices (VietGap) and Global Good Agricultural Practices (GlobalGap) in mango cultivation, which has helped to improve quality.

Mangoes are grown in 59 among 63 localities in Việt Nam. Of which, the Mekong Delta region accounts for 48 per cent of mango plantations in the country. About 96 per cent of Vietnamese mangoes are produced and sold locally.

Vietnamese mangoes have been exported to 40 countries, including South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, China and Thailand.

Lê Quốc Doanh, deputy minister of agriculture and rural development, said Việt Nam has received permission to export dragon fruit, longan, litchi and star apple to the US.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Plant Protection Department said the US had finally agreed to import Vietnamese mangoes after 10 years of negotiations.

Việt Nam gained an export value of US$4 billion from fruit and vegetables last year, according to the ministry.  VNS