Entry: Dr Pham Hong Duc Phuoc, Nong Lam University HCMC and Tracey Duffey, World Cocoa Foundation

In the early stages of the Vietnam cocoa program, it was sometimes difficult to convince Vietnamese farmers of the value of planting cocoa on their farms. Today, the situation is quite different as farmers are pleased with the added income from harvested cocoa. The Ministry of Agriculture (MARD) supports farmer extension activities every year, in addition to some private companies who are selling seedlings and fertilizers on credit to farmers. The Trong Duc Company has established a farm credit program, which has resulted in the planting of some 600 hectares of cocoa.

According to the data source of the Provincial Agriculture Department, there is now a total of 11,668 hectares of cocoa trees planted in the country since 2007. The dried cocoa bean quantity is about 1,200 tonnes and supports about 30,000 households. These numbers are still small compared to other countries, but the growth is strong. In 2007, cocoa production was just only 300 tons compared to roughly 1,200 tons today, with estimates for 3,600 tons in 2009.

Another interesting aspect of cocoa growing in Vietnam is that the beans are fermented. Farmers are following a proper fermentation procedure which includes 7-9 days for pod storage, 5-6 days for fermentation, followed by sun drying. International trading companies have established buying stations in several sites and some local chocolate producers also buy beans. The World Cocoa Foundation and Nong Lam University are pleased to be working together and in cooperation with our member companies and partners to help support sustainable cocoa efforts in Vietnam.

Photo: Drying cocoa at a farmer fermentary in Ben Tre Province.