Bac Giang plans to promote litchi exports to the United States, the European Union (EU), Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK). — Photo dangcongsan

BAC GIANG (Biz Hub) — The northern province of Bac Giang plans to promote litchi exports to the United States, the European Union (EU), Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK).

It will do so by implementing a master plan to zone off and produce litchi cultivation in accordance with modern food quality and hygiene standards.

Nearly 100ha of litchi in the Luc Ngan district has been cultivated in line with GlobalGAP standards, and is expected to generate 500 to 600 tonnes for exports to traditional markets, such as China, Laos and Cambodia. Meanwhile, VietGAP-standardised litchi cultivation has been expanded to 9,500ha, producing 47,000 to 57,000 tonnes per year.

The province has mapped out a specific plan to develop litchi in the Luc Ngan district to ensure an adequate supply for export to new markets, developing 150ha under the GlobalGAP in 2016 and 250ha in 2020.

The provincial Department of Science and Technology, together with scientists from research institutes and universities, held a workshop to introduce Israel's irradiation technology to produce qualified litchi for export.

The Luc Ngan litchi brand name has received protection certification in Japan, RoK and Cambodia and it is expected to be guaranteed in China and Cambodia during the second quarter of this year.

The Department is also working to register brand name protection in the United States, Australia, Singapore, Israel, Germany, France and Russia.

It is also currently preparing for a number of conferences to promote consumption and working with Viet Nam Airlines to discuss ways to bring litchi into the carrier's in-flight food options.

Meanwhile, the Luc Ngan District People's Committee is asking relevant agencies to instruct and inspect litchi cultivation processes by applying new technology in accordance with VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards.

It has also requested litchi growers to follow preservation regulations before exporting it to foreign markets.

Tran Van Loc, Director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, said the Dong Giao Export Food Company was working with the province to discuss measures for Luc Ngan litchi exports as it had signed a contract to sell 5,000 tonnes of frozen litchi to the United States, Japan and the RoK.

In addition, the Thanh Binh Jeune company, a French-based importing business, wants to buy fresh litchi for sale in France. — VNS