Vietnamese avocado from our province have just been granted a trademark registration certificate by the Intellectual Property Department. This is a great opportunity for the avocado to establish its position in the market. In addition, it enables individuals and cooperatives producing avocados to expand their distribution through clean food store chains nationwide and to aim for export markets.
Avocado trees were introduced to Son La in the 1990s, initially planted mainly for shade and household use. Over more than 30 years, avocado cultivation has proven economically effective. As aresult, is has led to the establishment of high-quality avocado growing areas.
Vietnamese avocado
Currently, the province has more than 1,120 hectares of avocado, producing nearly 4,000 tons per year. Vietnamese avocado is available in the districts of Moc Chau, Yen Chau, Mai Son, and Thuan Chau.
Son La’s avocados are gradually gaining recognition in the market, not only for their fragrant, creamy flavor and high nutritional content. In addition, they are valued for being safe for consumers when grown and cared for according to Vietgap standards.
There is a diverse range of avocado varieties. They include sticky avocado, wax avocado, double avocado, and white-spotted purple-skinned yellow-fleshed avocado. Common characteristics include thin skin, taut flesh, creamy texture, and low fiber. Fruits can reach one kg each, with yields per tree ranging from 50 to 200 kg. Avocado prices range from 15,000–35,000 VND/kg, providing high income for many households.
The economic potential and adaptability of avocado trees to local climate and soil conditions have been confirmed. However, Vietnamese avocado market still heavily depends on buyers, and market outlets remain unstable.
Son La has focused on sustainably developing the avocado value chain and increasing income from avocado cultivation. Therefore, in 2019, the province implemented a project for building, managing, and developing the “Son La avocado” certification trademark.
Frozen avocado from Vietnam
After more than two years, the project successfully registered the trademark. Also, it established a set of criteria for managing the certification and product quality. In addition, it completed the legal framework for the trademark.
This serves as a foundation for promoting, developing, managing, and exploiting the “Son La avocado” brand. The geographical map consists of 49 communes and wards across seven districts and cities. All of them have been corresponding to the certification trademark for Son La avocado products.
Mr. Bac, an expert from the province, said the province has worked with local authorities to conduct awareness campaigns and transfer technical knowledge to cooperatives and farmers. As a result, they have gradually improved quality and generated higher economic value from Vietnam’s avocado cultivation.
The province aims to reach an estimated 20,000 tons of avocado by 2030. Successfully establishing the “Son La avocado” trademark is a crucial condition for asserting the brand in domestic markets and moving toward export.
The project initially supported traceability for two cooperatives granted the right to use the “Son La Avocado” certification trademark. A repesentative of a cooperative, shared: “Previously, we mainly sold our avocados to traders. Since adding labels and packaging, customers trust our products more, and prices have increased by 10–15%”.
Vietnamese avocado factory
“Currently, during the harvest season, our 10-hectare cooperative expects to produce about 120–130 tons of avocado this year. The main market is Hanoi, accessed through supermarket chains and clean fruit store”, he added.
Dr. Truong, Project manager for building, managing, and developing the “Son La avocado” certification trademark, noted: “We have organized training on management, control, and use of the trademark, marketing, and market development along the value chain”.
“In addition, we have conducted trade promotion activities, research, and market connection for Son La avocados. From only selling wholesale to market traders, cooperatives and farmers have now established channels through clean food stores in Hanoi, increasing product value,” he explained.
“Son La avocado” certification trademark motivates cooperatives and avocado growers to seek business cooperation with purchasing and processing enterprises. Consequently, they can expand market access and gradually assert the brand and value of “Son La avocado.”
Vietnamese source: https://baosonla.vn/vi/bai-viet/them-co-hoi-de-bo-son-la-chinh-phuc-thi-truong-51439