Export markets are shifting from "buying products" to "buying value."

Amidst deepening economic integration, agricultural products from the Mekong Delta face significant opportunities to expand into export markets. However, these opportunities are accompanied by a distinct shift in how international markets select and evaluate products.

For Mekong Delta agricultural products, this necessitates tighter control over the entire production chain—spanning raw material sourcing, seed selection, input materials, and cultivation practices through to harvesting, preliminary processing, final processing, and distribution. Each stage requires standardization and the capability to provide data whenever markets or partners demand it.

In particular, traceability is emerging as a crucial foundation for building product trust. Traceability capabilities not only help identify a product's origin but also provide a basis for quality control, supply chain transparency, and enhanced accountability among all stakeholders involved in production.

Science and technology: The “key” to meeting market demands

To adapt to new requirements, enhancing the competitiveness of agricultural products cannot rely solely on the individual efforts of producers. The process of transformation requires the active participation of science and technology sectors, businesses, and support organizations.

At the same time, technological innovation in post-harvest processing and preservation plays a crucial role. Technologies such as drying, freezing, concentration, extraction, fermentation, and value-added food processing were showcased at the seminar; these technologies aim to extend shelf life, reduce post-harvest losses, and boost the commercial value of agricultural products.