Cassava exports continue to have numerous problems that jeopardize sustainable development

DNHN - According to Mr Le Thanh Hoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Product Processing and Market Development, even though the cassava industry generates billions of dollars in export revenue each year, it still faces numerous constraints that jeopardize the industry's long-term viability.

At the conference "The current situation and orientation for sustainable cassava development in Vietnam" organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee, many opinions said that the export industry earned both billion USD per year, but the cassava industry also has many limitations, which affect the sustainable development. 

Mr Nguyen Nhu Cuong, Director of the Department of Crop Production, said that in 2021, the whole country will have 528 thousand hectares of cassava, with an output of nearly 10.7 million tons, concentrated mainly in 5 regions of the Northern Midlands and Mountains and the North Central region, South Central Coast, Southeast and Central Highlands. Which, the Central Highlands account for the highest proportion with over 172,000 hectares, accounting for more than 32% of the total cassava area of the country.  

Currently, new varieties of cassava are commonly grown in cassava-growing provinces and regions with about 75% of the total cassava area in the country, creating a breakthrough in productivity and output, contributing to high profits for cassava farmers. 

The leader of the Department of Cultivation also said that up to now, 26 provinces and cities have recorded cassava leaf mosaic disease with an area of more than 65,000 hectares. There have been 9 new cassava varieties recognized and circulated, of which 6 are resistant to cassava leaf mosaic disease (HN3, HN5, HN, HN36, HN80, HN97) and HL-S12, HL-S14, STB1. 

Export of cassava and cassava products in March 2022 is estimated at 450,000 tons with a value of 202 million USD, bringing the export of cassava and cassava products in the first 3 months of 2022 is estimated at 970,000 tons and 420 million USD, respectively. decreased by 0.6% in volume but increased by 15.5% in value over the same period in 2021. 

According to Mr Le Thanh Hoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Product Processing and Market Development, even though the cassava industry generates billions of dollars in export revenue each year, it still faces numerous constraints that jeopardize the industry's long-term viability. To consume cassava and cassava products produced in Vietnam, numerous intermediaries and substantial logistics expenses are required, and the country must compete strongly in export markets with Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos.

Mr Hoa said:" The export market to China accounts for 95.8% of the country's total cassava starch exports and is completely dependent on China, which leads to unsustainable and passive consumption".

It is forecasted that in 2022, China will have an even greater import demand and will import more cassava and cassava products from Vietnam due to favourable geographical conditions.

However, the risk for farmers is that exporting cassava and cassava products to Chinashortlye will face many difficulties because of a series of new regulations and standards issued and applied by the Chinese Customs Department from 2022.

Huyen Tram