The HCM City Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on April 24 held a seminar with experts and orchid gardeners. VNS Photo An Phương

HCM CITY — The orchid industry in HCM City has great development potential, according to the HCM City Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The department on Wednesday held a seminar on the development direction of orchid cultivation in HCM City.

Nguyễn Văn Đức Tiến, deputy director of the city’s Agricultural Consultancy and Support Centre (HCACS), said the export value of the country’s orchid industry was over US$4 million every year, with Japan and the US the primary clients. 

Though Việt Nam is the sixth largest exporter of orchids worldwide, the industry’s value accounts for a small proportion compared to the Netherlands and Thailand.

Meanwhile, the import value of orchids to Việt Nam has increased yearly, from $5.5 million in 2014 to $12.9 million in 2018.

Thailand is Việt Nam’s largest orchid supplier.

The seminar was among several activities held to promote the first HCM City Orchid Festival, which will be held in District 1’s Tao Đàn Park between April 27 and May 1. — VNS