The Son La Longan and Safe Farm Produce Week at Lotte Mart Ba Dinh in Ha Noi seeks to introduce and promote the consumption of safe agricultural produce, especially longan, from Son La Province.

The event features many of the province’s typical products such as Song Ma branded longan, soursop, avocado, persimmon, banana, red dragon fruit, which are produced or distributed by businesses and co-operatives in Moc Chau, Yen Chau, Mai Son, Song Ma, Muong La, and Thuan Chau districts.

Last year, the National Office of Intellectual Property granted the province trademark registration for Song Ma longan.

The province has 15 safe longan production areas with a total annual output of over 4,000 tonnes, half of it to VietGap standards and 500 tonnes getting exportation codes for selling to the US, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN members.

Bui Manh Hai, managing director of Lotte Mart Vietnam for the northern and central regions, said at the current price of VND24,900 (US$1) per kilogramme for longan, his supermarket would strive to promote consumption of Song Ma longan in Ha Noi.

After this week the longan would continue to be sold at all of Lotte Mart’s stores nationwide, he said, adding that the supermarket is looking for distributors of safe agricultural products, especially brands.

Organised by the Son La People’s Committee and Department of Planning and Investment and Lotte Mart, the event will go on until August 26. — VNS