Export potential for Hai Duong carrots are expanding

Although the early carrot harvest in Hai Duong was harmed by rain this winter, the whole crop will assure output. Consumption and export are projected to be quite smooth.

Rain has harmed the early carrot harvest

At the carrot planting region in Cam Giang district (Hai Duong), locals are taking advantage of the ideal weather conditions to tend to the carrot's primary produce. However, the majority of them were disappointed when carrot leaves withered quickly.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thien, Head of the Cam Giang district's Agriculture and Rural Development Department, said that the district's carrot area is around 500 hectares. At the start of the season, severe rainy weather caused damage to approximately 180 hectares of carrots in Cam Van and Duc Chinh communes, with 50 hectares requiring replanting.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Thuat, director of Duc Chinh Agricultural Service Cooperative, said that the cooperative's carrot producing area is 380 ha in the crop year 2021-2022. People of the commune also rent property in neighboring northern localities totaling 1,200 ha.

Following early carrot seeding, the continuous wet weather resulted in the collapse of over 100 hectares of beds and root damage. Plants grow slower than usual in unaffected places as well.

Consumption is expected to be quite smooth

Mr. Nguyen Van Thien, Head of the Cam Giang district's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, informed that for this year's carrot crop, the Hai Duong Department of Agriculture and Rural Development supported the construction of a 120-hectare carrot production area that adheres to VietGAP standards. Cam Giang district (50 ha Duc Chinh commune, 70 ha Cam Van commune) was established to service the Korean market.

Additionally, Mr. Thien stated that, amidst the complications associated with the Covid-19 epidemic, and in light of experience gained in the production, circulation, and consumption of carrots in the 2020-2021 crop year, as well as this year's crop year, the Cam Giang District People's Committee directed departments, units, and localities... to plan to organize production, connect consumption, and export winter crops in general, and carrots in particular, from very early on.

As a result, this year's carrot growing area rose gradually; with a total area of more than 500 hectares, carrot production is predicted to exceed 20,000 tons. If the weather and consumption conditions continue to be excellent, and people continue to extend the area of carrot tea late, production may grow.

Regarding consumption, Mr. Thien anticipates that sales will increase, the selling price will remain advantageous, and there will be no change from the previous year. This year, the district's carrot-producing regions will concentrate on assuring quality for export to Korea, West Asia, and the European Union markets, under the leadership and guidance of the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Thuat, Director of Duc Chinh Agricultural Service Cooperative, the restoration of damaged carrot regions has been completed by the community, and no place remains unoccupied. Due to the excellent weather, seedling growth and development are rapid, assuring the seedlings arrive on schedule and are predicted to produce the same amount as last year.

According to Mr. Thuat, based on the authorities' evaluation of the weather and market circumstances, this year's carrot crop offers a number of beneficial characteristics for consumption, particularly export, specifically:

Over the last few years, the Covid-19 epidemic has impacted agricultural output operations. The persistent rain at the start of the winter crop has resulted in a decline in vegetable production, while localities often produce just enough to fulfill consumer demand. This is an opportunity for communities with a history of winter vegetable production, such as Hai Duong, to boost their acreage and supply. As a result, the cooperative has urged members to aggressively expand the area planted in winter crops, such as carrots.

China is a competitive market for carrots in Vietnam. However, the weather prediction for the last months of the year indicates that Fujian province (which grows a lot of carrots and corresponds with the carrot production in Hai Duong) would experience extreme cold, damaging cold, and frosty weather. This is an adverse situation for carrot production, and supply is expected to be curtailed as a result. As a result, it is believed that this will provide a chance for Hai Duong carrots to increase consumption both domestically and internationally.

With the objective of assuring the consumption of all carrots, local authorities and cooperatives have recommended residents to divide the crop into three to prevent concentrated harvesting, to extend carrot agricultural areas in the direction of VietGAP, and to ensure export needs.

According to the Hai Duong province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, around 80% of carrots will be exported in the crop year 2021-2022. Currently, the government is working on ways to improve the transit of export commodities, which would alleviate local market pressure on carrot consumption. As a result, it is critical to increasing growing area on appropriate soils, assuring export supply while partially meeting local demand.

To export successfully, however, it is vital to prioritize quality, closely monitor pesticide residues on carrots prior to harvesting, and assure the highest quality carrots for buying and exporting firms.