Son La Province actively participates in trade promotion, marketing, and agricultural product sales

In 2024, the economy is expected to face ongoing challenges, including high input costs for agriculture and forestry. The province of Son La continues to struggle with underutilizing its potential in deep processing, brand building, and developing concentrated growing areas with international certification. Despite recent improvements in product quality and compliance with import regulations, sustaining a presence in export markets remains a major challenge. Additionally, harsh weather conditions and natural events in the early months of the year, such as droughts and hailstorms affecting fruit trees, are likely to significantly impact the quantity and quality of agricultural products in Son La.

With an estimated agricultural output of 2.5 million tons in 2024, including over 391,000 tons of fruit set to be harvested from April, Son La aims to achieve an export value of $196.1 million, up 5% from 2023. Of this, agricultural and food products are expected to contribute $186.8 million, marking a 5.17% increase. This growth will support economic and social development, create jobs, and benefit ethnic minorities and remote areas in the province.

In 2024, the DOVECO Son La Center plans to expand its raw material area from 1,228.2 ha to 1,435.8 ha, aiming for a total output of 15,220 tons of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, the center will commence agricultural processing and export operations early in the year. Phuc Sinh Son La Co., Ltd. has installed a new Cascara tea production line with a daily capacity of 1 ton, targeting exports to Italy, France, and other European countries. Meanwhile, Son La Coffee Processing Co., Ltd.'s facility will operate at a capacity of 50,000 tons of fresh coffee cherries per year, equivalent to 12,500 tons of processed coffee.

At the start of the year, Son La's Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion Center organized and supported local businesses and cooperatives in participating in trade promotion programs and fairs to showcase and market the province's agricultural products. In April 2023, Son La featured a booth at the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival, the Vietnam International Tourism Mart (VITM) Hanoi 2024, the Northwest Regional Trade Fair in Đien Bien, and hosted the "Celebrating Vietnamese Products" event at Vincom Plaza Son La, drawing significant interest from the public and visitors.

In the first quarter of 2024, Son La’s total export value is projected to reach $71.51 million, up 14.97% from the same period in 2023. Of this, agricultural and food products are estimated at $70.33 million, a 16.24% increase year-on-year. For April 2023 alone, export value is expected to hit $8.82 million, with key exports including tea, coffee, cassava products, sugar, and bananas. Over the first four months of the year, total export value is estimated at $80.33 million, marking a 12.54% increase and achieving 40.96% of the annual target.

To advance agricultural production, processing, and export activities in 2024, Son La’s provincial government and the 598 Steering Committee will guide relevant agencies and local authorities in implementing timely and effective measures. They will coordinate production, processing, and trade promotion efforts to ensure stable and timely consumption of agricultural products, create jobs, and secure stable incomes for producers. This includes managing production, developing raw material zones to meet standards, and participating in trade promotion, product marketing, and market connections. The focus will also be on expanding export markets to China, the US, Australia, the EU, Japan, and the Middle East, while boosting awareness of agricultural processing, consumption, and market development activities.

Hong Le

Translated by Huyen Thao Vu