Suppliers eye Vietnam’s horticulture and floriculture sector

Visitors from Vietnam and other countries in the region visited Hortex Vietnam 2019, which was held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre on March 13-15

Vietnam, with a population of some 95 million people, is a huge emerging market for the horticulture and floriculture industry. The country‘s exports of fruits and vegetables have enjoyed strong growth in the past years, with an average rate of 26.5 per cent a year.

A significant milestone for the Vietnamese fruits and vegetables industry has been witnessed in 2018 when its export turnover reached a record high of $3.8 billion, up 8.8 per cent compared to 2017, calculated by the General Customs Department. Furthermore, Vietnam has the potential to become one of the world’s largest flower exporters according to experts.

To explore the opportunities in the market, nearly 200 local and international exhibitors gathered at the second International Exhibition & Conference for Horticultural and Floricultural Production and Processing Technology in Vietnam (Hortex Vietnam) in Ho Chi Minh City.

While many suppliers start to see the opportunities in the Vietnamese market, it is not a straightforward road. While suppliers of fertiliser, foil coverage, and hydroponic growing systems do good business, challenges remain in the industry. In Vietnam, there are many growers and greenhouses to be found and there is a will to develop for sure, but since labour is available broadly and capital not so much, the market is in an early stage of development when it comes to automation.

Still, there is one thing exhibitors agree about: Vietnam is offering opportunities and so do surrounding countries. The question is not if, but when these opportunities develop into business for automation suppliers as well.

Hortex Vietnam enables participants to meet key decision-makers, strengthen valuable contacts with customers and partners, and explore the potential of an exciting growth market.

Le Van Duc, deputy director general of the Department of Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that Hortex Vietnam 2019 is a practical and effective event to accompany the development of Vietnam’s vegetable-flower-fruit manufacturing and processing industry.