Dong Nai continue to develop long-term industrial crops

(ĐN) – Spanning nearly 511,500 hectares, the newly merged Dong Nai is a major hub for industrial crops, with extensive specialized farming zones cultivating rubber, cashew, pepper, and coffee.

Cashew processing at Gia Bao Group J.S Co in Binh Phuoc ward.

Particularly, the former Binh Phuoc contributes over 438,000 hectares of industrial crops, including nearly 245,000 hectares of rubber and some 150,000 hectares of cashew, the largest in the country. Meanwhile, the former Dong Nai accounts for approximately 93,200 hectares, mostly rubber, cashew, pepper, and coffee.

According to the province’s 2030 development plan, Dong Nai aims to maintain four key crops of rubber, cashew, coffee, and pepper. While total cultivation area may shrink, productivity and value are expected to rise through the application of modern farming technologies. The province is also promoting intercropping models such as coffee-cashew and cocoa-cashew to increase efficiency.

Connecting production with processing and exports

With its vast material zones, Dong Nai has attracted numerous enterprises investing in deep processing and export chains. In 2024, the province recorded US$3.7 billion in agro-forestry-aquatic product exports, up 17% year-on-year. Coffee exports reached nearly US$913 million, cashew over US$510 million, rubber over US$79 million, and pepper around US$73 million.

These industrial crops remain among Vietnam’s 15 key national agricultural products and are being developed to meet organic and food safety standards for high-demand markets like the EU and the U.S.

Strengthening value chains through regional linkages

In the former Binh Phuoc, 10 cashew processing companies are currently linked with 38 cooperatives, including 3,500 hectares of organic cashew. For pepper, linkage areas cover nearly 2,500 hectares. One standout model is the Trang Co Bu Lach Organic Cashew Cooperative, with over 1,700 hectares managed by 160 ethnic minority households. All cultivation follows organic protocols, enabling higher selling prices and production cost support for members.

Their cashew products are now exported to 34 countries, meeting strict European standards thanks to comprehensive soil, water, and leaf testing. Dong Nai has opened up greater export opportunities and increased the value of products from local ethnic communities.

Hoang Hong Tien, Director of Bazan Co. Ltd. in Phuoc Son commune, believes the new province will create more space for processing and exporting cashew products, especially with stronger enterprise ecosystems in place. He hopes the “Dong Nai red basalt cashew” brand will rise globally, bringing prosperity to local farmers.

Reported by L.Quyen