Dong Nai steps up efforts to attract investment in agricultural processing

Dong Nai has attracted a number of major corporations and enterprises to invest in agricultural processing, particularly within agro-product value chains. Notably, the effective implementation of the One Commune, One Product (OCOP) program has played a key role in encouraging and promoting investment in the processing sector. However, the overall level of investment in this area remains disproportionate to the province's potential.

Processing cashew nuts at Nga Bien Import-Export Company Limited (Xuan Hoa commune) Photo: Binh Nguyen

Accordingly, promoting large-scale commercial agricultural production linked to deep processing and product distribution is a key focus that the newly formed Dong Nai province will intensify in the coming period.

A sector with vast potential

According to many corporations and enterprises already investing in agricultural processing in the province, Dong Nai offers several competitive advantages for attracting investment in this sector, including a favorable geographic location, strong industrial and commercial development, and solid connectivity to major consumer markets.

From an early stage, Dong Nai, along with the former Binh Phuoc, successfully attracted major corporations to invest in agriculture and rural development through closed-loop value chains, spanning production, processing, and distribution. Prominent names include C.P. Vietnam, Japfa, CJ, Emivet, Masan, Koyu Unitek, Nestle, Cargill, Hoa Phat, De Heus, and GC Food. In the animal feed sector alone, 63 enterprises are currently operating in the province, supplying approximately 5 million tons of feed to the market each year.

Following the administrative merger, the newly formed Dong Nai province has become a key national hub for both livestock and crop production, especially in industrial crops and perennial fruit trees. Many localities have also established concentrated farming zones and specialized crop regions, ensuring a consistent raw material supply for processing enterprises.

In livestock, Dong Nai ranks among the top in Vietnam, with a total pig population of nearly 4.2 million and poultry at approximately 36.5 million. The province aims for 90% of livestock to be slaughtered in industrial facilities and 30% of meat output to be processed by 2030.

In crop production, Dong Nai boasts nearly 1.1 million hectares of agricultural land, accounting for over 84.3% of the province's total land area, with more than 165,000 hectares devoted to food crops, and over 600,000 hectares to perennial industrial crops and fruit trees, an abundant resource base for processing industries.

Opening the door to investors

For years, Dong Nai has prioritized favorable policies and streamlined mechanisms to attract investment in agricultural processing, from preliminary handling and preservation to deep and high-tech processing. The province targets sectors that use modern, regionally and globally competitive technologies and equipment.

According to Dr. Dang Kim Khoi, a senior agricultural policy expert with extensive experience in Vietnam and ASEAN, Dong Nai's investment attraction in processing still falls short of its potential. Given the ongoing international economic integration, he emphasized the need for the province to position itself as a central processing hub for key crops such as cashew, coffee, and pepper, not only for Vietnam but also globally.

Dr. Khoi also highlighted the importance of industry associations and business networks in shaping strategic development plans and fostering value chain linkages, which are essential for advancing deep processing capacity.

Local authorities across Dong Nai have shown strong interest in attracting investment in agricultural processing, particularly in deep processing, while increasingly ready to "roll out the red carpet" for investors in this sector.

The effective implementation of the OCOP program has paved a strong foundation for attracting investment in agricultural processing. As of August 2025, Dong Nai had 481 recognized OCOP products. Notably, among the 11 products awarded 5-star national certification, seven are cashew-based, four from Nga Bien Import-Export Co., Ltd. (Xuan Hoa commune), while three are from Ha My JSC (Dong Phu commune).

With over 176,000 hectares, Dong Nai Province has the largest cashew cultivation area in Vietnam. The country currently exports between 3 to 4 million tons of cashew nuts annually, generating a total export value exceeding 4 billion USD. Dong Nai alone accounts for about 50% of the nation's cashew export volume and value. The province is home to more than 1,400 cashew processing enterprises.

Nguyen Hoang Dat, Deputy Chairman of the Dong Nai Cashew Association, remarked that cashew-based products from Dong Nai are quite diverse and meet export standards. Many of these products have been granted geographical indications, helping establish strong brand recognition in international markets. Following the recent administrative merger, Dong Nai has an opportunity to elevate its status as Vietnam's "cashew capital" to new heights in both output and quality, particularly by increasing the share of cashew exports.

By: Binh Nguyen

Translated by: Hong Van - Minho