In a significant show of international agricultural collaboration, South Korea’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Song Mi Ri Ung, visited the carrot production and processing center in Đức Chính, Hải Dương province, Vietnam. The visit, which took place on March 22, underscores the increasing importance of Hải Dương’s agricultural sector — particularly its carrot exports — in Vietnam’s trade relations with South Korea.
Hải Dương’s Carrot Industry: A Growing Export Powerhouse
According to local authorities, Hải Dương province annually plants around 1,500 hectares of carrots, producing between 80,000 and 100,000 tonnes, with a market value of approximately 800 billion VND (~32 million USD). Impressively, about 40% of this carrot output is exported to South Korea, making it a crucial export destination and a key factor in the province’s agricultural development strategy.
The region’s production is:
- Highly mechanized, applying modern cultivation methods,
- Certified under VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards,
- Focused on centralized, large-scale farming models.
This has allowed Hải Dương to meet the strict quality and phytosanitary requirements of demanding markets such as South Korea, the US, and the EU.
South Korea’s Technical and Financial Support
The visit also acknowledged the critical role of South Korean support in elevating Hải Dương’s carrot export capacity. Notably:
- The South Korean government has provided a non-refundable aid package of $2.6 million USD,
- This funding was used to construct and upgrade packing facilities, install sorting lines, and build cold storage infrastructure for two cooperatives: Đức Chính and Tân Minh Đức.
Such investments have enabled these cooperatives to:
- Maintain carrot quality post-harvest,
- Meet cold chain standards required for overseas shipping,
- Boost their export readiness and consistency.
Strengthening Bilateral Agricultural Cooperation
During the working session, Trần Văn Quân, Vice Chairman of Hải Dương People’s Committee, expressed gratitude to the Korean government for its longstanding support, particularly in helping resolve export-related challenges.
He emphasized:
- Hải Dương’s commitment to creating favorable conditions for Korean enterprises investing in local agricultural processing and logistics,
- A vision to expand post-harvest infrastructure across the province to support multiple crops, not just carrots,
- A call for continued Korean support in helping Hải Dương scale up its agricultural exports.
Minister Song Mi Ri Ung expressed appreciation for the region’s efficient carrot production systems and its investment in quality control and food safety. She encouraged Vietnam to explore more Korean agricultural products and to strengthen bilateral trade and technical exchange in the agri-food sector.
The visit by South Korea’s Minister of Agriculture to Đức Chính is more than symbolic — it affirms Hải Dương’s strategic importance in Vietnam’s export-driven agriculture. With high-standard carrot production, advanced post-harvest facilities, and solid international partnerships, Hải Dương is setting a benchmark for how technology, trade, and cooperation can drive sustainable agricultural success in the region.
