Agribusiness

Vietnam has announced a plan to make the Mong people's black cattle of the northern mountains and Ha Tinh's deer antler velvet into national brands. We read the aim of introducing Japanese and Korean meat-quality grading techniques, and the possibilities it opens for Japanese food sourcing.

Jangtop Vina, a Japan–Korea joint venture in Haiphong, has exported 20 tonnes of chili powder to Japan for the first time. From its plan to supply 20–30 tonnes a month and its kimchi-grade specifications, we read what is happening in Japanese seasoning sourcing.

Can Tho City's Tan Hoa cooperative is standardizing the quality of the "Cat Hoa Loc" mango across a roughly 30 ha standardization zone, aiming for direct contracts with companies. We read it from the perspective of developing mango growing regions for Japan.

Vinh Hoan's ASC-certified prepared pangasius product "Cured Panga Croquette" took the top award at Seafood Excellence Asia 2026. We lay out its significance from the angle of a white-fish substitute for Japan's foodservice and ready-meal sectors.

The major dried-fruit company Nafoods integrated 10 group companies into SAP S/4HANA, and first-half net profit nearly doubled. Its second freeze-drying plant in Long An also came online. We have summarized it from the viewpoint of Japanese food buyers choosing suppliers.

Son La farmers have begun exploring direct smartphone sales of their produce. Using verified distribution data from another region, Hanoi, as a clue, we examine what Japanese food buyers can gain from growing areas, through to the items to check in negotiations.

Vietnamese durian exports to South Korea rose 188% in January–July to US$2.4 million. The amount is small, but we read the significance of this test market in breaking down dependence on China, and the preparations Japanese buyers can make now.

The shrimp-farming cooperative HTX Thanh Dat in Ca Mau province has obtained ASC Farm Standard certification from DNV. We lay out what this certification—which majors such as Aeon make a sourcing requirement—means for sourcing to Japan and the EU, and the points buyers should check at first hand.

Vietnam's vegetable and fruit exports reached US$5.87 billion in eight months. Cashew nuts (+111%) and passion fruit (+25.6%) grew, while dragon fruit, mango, and banana fell below the previous year. We read the item reshuffle Japanese buyers should keep in mind.

Vietnam has set its 2026 durian export target at about US$4 billion. India opened up fresh durian in July, and diversification away from 95% dependence on China is advancing. Growing-area codes total more than 1,800 cumulatively, and electronic traceability has been running since July. We read the changes in supply capacity and price negotiations from the Japanese importer's point of view.