New direction for sustainable development of cassava industry

To develop sustainably and in line with its inherent potential, the cassava industry needs to focus on improving productivity, diversifying cassava processed products, strongly transforming technology, as well as expanding export markets...

Vietnam's cassava and cassava products are mainly exported to the Chinese market.

A representative of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) said that the country currently has over 40 provinces growing cassava, concentrated in 5 key regions including the Northern Midlands and Mountains, North Central, South Central Coast, Central Highlands and Southeast, accounting for 98% of the country's cassava area and output. The total cassava output nationwide reached 10.4 million tons, of which the average yield reached 20.4 tons/hectare. The provinces with high yields are Tay Ninh with 33.3 tons/hectare, Dong Nai, Ba Ria - Vung Tau (old) with 25-27 tons/hectare. Vietnam's cassava and cassava products are mainly exported to the Chinese market when this market accounted for 93.2% of the market share in the first 7 months of 2025.

Meanwhile, according to statistics from the Customs Department ( Ministry of Finance ), cassava and cassava products exports reached 2.62 million tons, worth 1.15 billion USD, down 11.1% in volume and 11.4% in value compared to 2023. Cassava and cassava products are not only one of the 13 key agricultural products of Vietnam, but also a factor that helps Vietnam rise to the third position globally in cassava exports. With an annual turnover ranging from 1 - 1.4 billion USD, cassava contributes significantly to the national agricultural economy. However, the average export price of cassava and cassava products in the first 7 months of 2025 decreased sharply, down 33.4%, reflecting the instability in the market structure and competitiveness of the cassava industry.

Regarding this situation, economic experts commented that this reflects the instability in the market structure and competitiveness of the cassava industry. Because Vietnam's cassava industry is almost completely dependent on a single market, making the entire industry chain vulnerable. China's adjustment of import policies or consumer demand can immediately put Vietnamese enterprises in a passive position, causing high inventories and falling domestic prices. In the first 5 months of 2025, China imported nearly 586,000 tons of cassava chips from Vietnam, worth 114.4 million USD, a sharp increase of 115% in volume and 61% in value. At the same time, more than 1.14 million tons of cassava starch were also exported to this billion-people market, accounting for nearly 49% of China's cassava starch imports. China continues to be the main consumer market of Vietnamese cassava, however, cassava imports in this market are changing, with reduced imports of cassava chips and increased imports of cassava starch.

Mr. Hoang Trung - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment said that the viewpoint is not to increase the area but to focus on improving productivity; diversifying processed products from cassava; expanding export markets; organizing sustainable production. Localities guide the organization of effective cassava production, review and promulgate cassava cultivation processes according to the characteristics of ecological regions, and processes for producing disease-free cassava varieties, resistant to cassava leaf blight. In particular, support the implementation of production linkages between people and cassava factories on the basis of ensuring the interests of all parties towards professional and sustainable production...

Regarding cassava processing, the country currently has about 140 factories with a designed capacity of 13.4 million tons of fresh tubers, but in reality, only about 9.3 million tons are operated. Many facilities still use outdated technology, low efficiency, do not take advantage of by-products and pose a risk of environmental pollution. The cassava industry needs to switch to deep processing such as modified starch, bio-ethanol, animal feed - products with high value, stable demand, especially in Europe and Japan. Vietnam is enjoying a tax-free quota of 30,000 tons/year of modified starch under the EVFTA Agreement, an advantage that needs to be taken advantage of to diversify the market and reduce dependence on China. Technological innovation and application of a circular economic model to reuse cassava residue and wastewater as fertilizer and bio-energy are also inevitable directions to improve efficiency and protect the environment.

daidoanket.vn

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/huong-di-moi-de-nganh-hang-san-phat-trien-ben-vung-post879118.html