Hung Yen longan gets geographical indication certification

Handing over the geographical indication certification for Hung Yen longan

Hung Yen Province cultivates more than 3,300ha of longan trees, of which 2,800ha are ready for harvest, mainly in the Tien Lu and Kim Dong districts and Hung Yen City. Annual longan output totals about 40,000 tonnes for a value of nearly VND1 trillion.

A week-long festival and trade fair of regional specialties was held earlier this month, honoring the longan, once renowned as a delicacy offered as tribute to emperors.

About 155ha of longan trees are being grown in accordance with VietGAP standards. Some 20 hectares of longan trees owned by 175 households in Ham Tu Commune of Khoai Chau District and Hong Nam Commune of Hung Yen City have been granted codes to export to the US.

Harvesting longan

Khoai Chau District, with its favorable conditions for agricultural production, grows 3,300ha of fruit trees, including 1,600ha longan trees. Nguyen Van The from Ham Tu Commune says his cooperative has 197 members with longan growing areas of nearly 200ha. Members of the cooperative comply with the standards of pesticide use to produce safe goods. In addition, the cooperative has promoted links with companies to underwrite more than 100 tonnes of product every year.

Bui Xuan Tam, a resident of Hong Nam Commune of Hung Yen City, says that to be able to put longan in supermarkets and export the fruit, the Ne Chau Longan Cooperative adheres to VietGAP standards on an area of 10ha. In 2016, the cooperative sold eight tonnes of longan to the Vineco supermarket. By strengthening the application of scientific and technological methods, 10ha of VietGAP-standard longan trees could yield 150-200 tonnes this year. The cooperative will continue to promote scientific and technological advances in order to increase productivity and exports.

Nguyen Minh Quang, deputy chairman of Hung Yen People’s Committee, said the trade fair provided longan growers with opportunities to sign cooperation contracts. He also said the province directed the provincial department of agriculture and rural development to help farmers expand growing areas following VietGAP standards, and asked the provincial department of industry and trade to implement trade promotion activities in order to introduce Hung Yen longan to international friends.

On this occasion, Phan Ngan Son, deputy director of the National Office of Intellectual Property under the Ministry of Science and Technology handed over the geographical indication certification for Hung Yen longan. The provincial people’s committee awarded certificates of merit to four collectives and eight individuals with excellent achievements in promoting the value of the Hung Yen longan brand. According to the geographical indication certification, Hung Yen longan is a big round fruit, with a dark brown crust, thick pulp, pure scent, crispy and sweet.

Nguyen Minh Quang emphasized that Hung Yen Province’s geographical area is very suitable for longan growing. The development of geographical indication for Hung Yen longan will be a tool to confirm the quality of Hung Yen longan. This is also an important and long-term legal basis, contributing to increasing the value of Hung Yen longan.