Vietnam builds int’l brand for cashew products

Vietnam plans to build up international brands for cashew products to match the stature of the largest cashew nut exporter in the world, said Binh Phuoc Province Chairman Bui Van Thach.

“To reach the target, the country has to build brands for processing mills, producers and exporters following international standards and comply with food hygiene regulations,” Thach said at the press briefing for the Golden Cashew Festival 2010. This is the first event of its kind in Vietnam to be held in the province on March 20-23.

Vietnam since 2006 has left India behind to become the world’s biggest cashew nut exporter with a total growing area of 450,000 hectares. However, the nation has yet to win an internationally-recognized cashew brand and export value remains low.

“The festival is an opportunity for local enterprises to popularize cashew products to the global market,” Thach said. Binh Phuoc Province accounts for 45% of the nation’s cashew growing area with over 100 processing factories.

Since Vietnam released criteria for local cashew mills late last year, around 60% of the firms have met national standards on food hygiene and safety, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. This has helped exporters raise prestige in overseas markets as well as product quality.

Nguyen Thai Hoc, chairman of the Vietnam Cashew Association (Vinacas), said Vietnam had raised an important voice after joining India and Brazil to establish an international cashew association.

During the festival, Vinacas will open a cashew trading center and hold seminars on Vietnam’s cashew production strategy. The organizers will also grant ten golden cashew awards to outstanding enterprises and farmers in the country.

The total cost of the event is around VND12 billion with VND1.8 billion funded by the Government. The organizers will announce the venue and time for the second festival after the first one wraps up.

Vietnam obtained US$850 million in cashew export value in 2009, according to Vinacas. The country is looking to earn US$1 billion this year.

VietNamNet/SGT

Tags: Vietnam cashew products