Sơn La plums are introduced to visitors at the Exhibition Fair, Economic Transaction and Commercial Area in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — A week for the promotion of plums and other agricultural products from the northern mountainous province of Sơn La is taking place in Hà Nội’s Exhibition Fair, Economic Transaction and Commercial Area.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Deputy Director of the Sơn La Planning and Investment Department Vũ Đức Thuận said the province is home to more than 8,700ha of plum cultivation areas that are currently in their harvest season, with an expected output of 50,700 tonnes this year.

“Sơn La plums have been appreciated for their quality for many years thanks to their characteristic taste,” Thuận said.

This event aims to boost demand and create a stable consumption market for plums and agricultural products of Sơn La in Hà Nội and the northern region,” he added.

Thuận said that as part of the Government’s policy of agricultural restructuring, the province had shifted to concentrated goods production, improving farming efficiency and building concentrated material zones for the province's most advantageous fruits and vegetables to serve the processing industry and for both domestic and export markets.

The province is also calling for investment from economic groups and enterprises to work with local co-operatives in agricultural processing factories, bringing organic and safe products to supermarkets, trade centres and export markets.

Thuận said the province expected to earn more than US$150 million from the export of agricultural products this year, up 30 per cent year on year. The main export products would be 5,000 tonnes of mango, 8,100 tonnes of longan, 2,000 tonnes of passion fruit and 300 tonnes of dragon fruit.

Nguyễn Quốc Toản, acting director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Agricultural Product Processing and Market Development Department, said Sơn La Province, especially Mộc Châu District, had done well to make its production associated with each market.

“The province has identified key products to set up production processes, build brands and boost exports," Toản said. "This is also the locality where many large enterprises invest in agricultural development."

He said the department would work with the province in trade promotion and market development. Businesses, co-operatives and farmers need to continue to innovate and approach markets, he said.

The activities will run until Sunday at No 489 Hoàng Quốc Việt Street, Cầu Giấy District, Hà Nội. — VNS