The shipment marks the first official export of Dong Thap lotus roots to the Japanese market, albeit in a relatively moderate volume (15 tons of frozen lotus roots).

Dai Viet Lotus Foods Joint Stock Company, in partnership with the Dong Thap Lotus Industry Association, hosted a ceremony on May 7th in Thap Muoi district, Dong Thap province, to announce the inaugural shipment of 15 tons of lotus root to Japan. This marked a significant achievement following thorough negotiations, granting official entry for fresh Vietnamese lotus roots into the Japanese market. The export of this first shipment signifies a pivotal moment for the advancement of the lotus industry in Dong Thap.

The ceremony was part of the festivities surrounding the second Dong Thap Lotus Festival, slated to occur from May 16th to May 19th at Van Mieu Park, Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Ward 1, Cao Lanh city, Dong Thap province.

In July 2023, the Agricultural Service Center of Thap Muoi district, in collaboration with Dai Viet Lotus Foods Joint Stock Company, initiated a pilot lotus root production model covering 3 hectares in Truong Xuan commune, Thap Muoi district. This endeavor yielded promising results in generating high-quality lotus root raw materials meeting export standards. Subsequently, all harvested products were procured by Dai Viet Lotus Foods Joint Stock Company for export purposes.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Vice Chairman of the Dong Thap Lotus Industry Association and Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of Dai Viet Lotus Foods Joint Stock Company, remarked, "The demand for lotus roots persists in markets like Japan, China, and South Korea. However, lotus production areas in Dong Thap and other Mekong Delta provinces predominantly focus on lotus seed harvesting."

The Japanese market, known for its stringent import regulations, posed a challenge. Yet, after rigorous negotiations and multiple sample submissions, Dai Viet Lotus Foods Joint Stock Company secured an export contract for IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) lotus roots to Japan.

Mr. Doan Thanh Binh, Chairman of the Thap Muoi District People's Committee, emphasized the significance of the lotus root export shipment as a collaborative achievement involving the government, businesses, and residents of Dong Thap province. He noted that this milestone would not only open doors to the Japanese market but also pave the way for Dong Thap lotus to penetrate other demanding markets globally.

To ensure the sustainable development of the Dong Thap lotus industry, Mr. Binh stressed the importance of support from central ministries and sectors, as well as cooperation from local departments, industries, businesses, and cooperatives. He highlighted the need for lotus farmers to uphold high-quality production standards and establish enduring partnerships with export businesses. These efforts, he emphasized, would facilitate the sustainable export of Dong Thap lotus and other local agricultural products to the Japanese market and beyond.

The local Department of Industry and Trade further underscored Dong Thap's position as a leading agricultural production province in the Mekong Delta region. In addition to its prominence in rice production, Dong Thap boasts an extensive fruit tree production area spanning over 40,000 hectares, yielding more than 400,000 tons of various fruits annually. Notably, the province hosts over 1,800 hectares dedicated to lotus cultivation, with an annual output exceeding 1,500 tons.

Lotus holds a special place in Dong Thap province, serving as a unique local product that carries the province's brand and possesses high economic value and tourism potential. Recognizing its significance, lotus production has been prioritized as a key industry within the province's agricultural restructuring project.

Across Dong Thap, lotus cultivation is widespread, with production areas concentrated in districts such as Thap Muoi, Cao Lanh, Chau Thanh, Tan Hong, and Tam Nong. Notably, Thap Muoi district alone accounts for over 30% of the province's total lotus production, with a production area spanning 525 hectares. Recent statistics indicate impressive profitability for lotus farmers in Dong Thap, with average profits per hectare per crop surpassing 28 million Vietnamese dong in 2023 and reaching 45 million Vietnamese dong in the first quarter of 2024.

Dong Thap province currently oversees more than 40 establishments involved in lotus-based food production and trade, offering a range of OCOP-certified lotus products and "Made in Dong Thap" lotus items. Efforts are underway to establish lotus production unit codes to streamline exports and strengthen connections between production and consumption.

Additionally, Dong Thap is actively pursuing the registration of industrial property rights for the "Dong Thap" geographical indication for lotus products, aiming to further enhance the recognition and value of its lotus offerings. Despite the province's significant lotus production capacity, the current allocation of just 200 hectares for root harvesting falls short of demand.

Lotus designated for export to Japan follows a meticulous growth cycle lasting 135 days, with the roots reaching sizes of four to six centimeters before harvest. Upon harvest, the lotus undergoes processing and slicing before being frozen using IQF technology. The inaugural export shipment of frozen lotus roots, valued at nearly 980 million Vietnamese dong, is slated to travel from Cat Lai Port in Ho Chi Minh City to Tokyo Port. Dai Viet Lotus aims to export approximately eight containers to its Japanese partner in 2024, with an estimated order value of 7 billion Vietnamese dong, sourcing raw materials from Dong Thap and neighboring provinces in the Mekong Delta region.

Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Thien, Vice Chairman of the Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee, expressed pride in Dong Thap's achievement of exporting lotus roots to the Japanese market, marking a significant milestone in the province's agricultural sector. The event, held as part of the second Dong Thap Lotus Festival in 2024, showcased the province's commitment to promoting local agricultural products on the global stage.

Acknowledging the collaborative effort between the government, businesses, and residents of Dong Thap, Mr. Thien emphasized the importance of such partnerships in facilitating access to demanding markets worldwide for Dong Thap lotus products.

Looking ahead, Mr. Thien highlighted the positive prospects for Dong Thap's agricultural exports, particularly lotus products, in the Japanese market. He attributed this optimism to the commitments outlined in the Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which provide a favorable framework for trade between the two countries.

Japan's reputation for stringent standards necessitates rigorous testing of various factors, including soil, water, air, and processing plant samples. However, with the success of previous agricultural exports such as dragon fruit, mangoes, lychees, and fresh longan, lotus roots have emerged as the latest addition to Vietnam's offerings in this discerning market.

The announcement of Dong Thap's lotus root export to Japan underscores the province's position and potential in the global agricultural market, reflecting its commitment to meeting international standards and expanding its footprint on the world stage.