Exports continue to grow

In 2025, the province strives to achieve 215 million USD in export value, a year-on-year increase of 8%. Of the total, the farm produce and food group is expected to account for a large proportion with 208 million USD, up 9.22%. The main export items continue to be tea, coffee, tapioca starch, sugarcane, mango, longan, passion fruit, and banana.

Quang Van Dung, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, said that in 2025, Son La agricultural products maintain their competitiveness in markets, of which China, Japan, Pakistan, Taiwan (China), Laos, India, the UK, France, Sweden, Germany and the US are the main export markets.

As a result, in the 11 months, the export revenue reached over 208 million USD, up 17.91% year-on-year, of which the value of agricultural products and food hit 202 million USD, up 19.96%. Products such as mango, longan, dragon fruit, tea and coffee were all appreciated for their quality and stability in the supply chain. Market expansion not only creates stable output for agricultural products but also contributes to increasing people's income, encouraging businesses to continue to invest in depth in processing.

The branch of Phu Yen Cassava Starch Joint Stock Company - Son La Cassava Starch Factory in Chieng Mung commune, which specialises in purchasing and processing cassava starch for export to China, has completed its production and business target for 2025. During the year, the factory purchased nearly 100,000 tonnes of fresh cassava roots, and produced over 30,000 tonnes of finished cassava starch. To date, the branch has exported 20,000 tonnes of starch to China. In the 2025-2026 crop year, the factory aims to purchase about 120,000 tonnes of fresh cassava roots and produce 35,000 tonnes of cassava starch for export to China.

Ngo Quang Tuan, Deputy Director of the branch, informed that currently, the factory has been in the production season for 30 days, with the current capacity of 800 tonnes of fresh cassava roots per day. The branch has linked with thousands of households in Son La province and some communes of Dien Bien province to supply raw materials for the processing factory.

The branch of the Vietnam Tea Corporation in Son La province – Vinatea Moc Chau is managing a raw material area of ​​551 hectares of tea, with main varieties such as Shan, Kim Tuyen, Bat Tien, all produced under RainForest Alliance (R.A) sustainable agriculture standards. Notably, high technology is applied for 329.6 hectares. The average output reaches more than 10,000 tonnes of fresh buds per year, with about 2,500 tonnes of dry tea processed. The annual revenue is stable at 120-130 billion VND, making the branch contribute 5-6 billion VND to the budget.

Le Chi Long, Director of Vinatea Moc Chau, shared that the company has digitised the entire process of managing raw material areas, purchasing materials and monitoring quality. The factory meets ISO 2000:2022 standards, as well as the strict requirements of export markets. The application of high technology helps Vinatea Moc Chau strengthen the Moc Chau tea brand in the international market, while creating stable jobs for thousands of workers. Since the beginning of the year, it has exported over 1,000 tonnes of tea to Taiwan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and Japan.

Ngoc Hoang Agricultural Cooperative in Chieng Sung commune is currently cooperating to grow about 300 hectares of red-fleshed dragon fruit in many localities in the province. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Director of the cooperative, said that its dragon fruit is grown according to VietGAP, using organic fertilisers, with a yield of 20-30 tonnes per hectares. At present, 70 hectares meet export standards, and are granted two growing area codes. In addition to the domestic market, the cooperative's products have been exported to China, the Republic of Korea, Russia and some EU markets. Thanks to compliance with technical processes and ensuring food hygiene and safety, Son La dragon fruit is increasingly accepted by demanding markets.

Key to increasing competitiveness

To complete the export target for 2025, the provincial People's Committee has directed departments, sectors and localities to increase support for export enterprises, especially in the fields of logistics, quality control, traceability and granting growing area codes. Attention has been paid to international trade promotion, and connections with Chinese, ASEAN, RoK, EU markets through fairs, e-commerce platforms, and trade deals.

The Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade said that implementing the direction of the provincial People's Committee, the department continues to provide information to support businesses and cooperatives in promoting and selling products on major e-commerce platforms; support them in livestreaming sales; notify and guide them to participate in supply and demand connection programmes, online exports, trade fairs and exhibitions organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and provinces and cities across the country.

In addition, the department will coordinate with units to promote the application of digital technology in export activities such as electronic traceability system, and digital platforms connecting agricultural products for export, thereby supporting farmers and businesses to access the market more quickly and effectively. Efforts will be made to improve transportation, warehousing and customs service capacity, and create favourable conditions for customs clearance of goods through border gates such as Long Sap and Chieng Khuong.

In addition, the province has directed departments, agencies and sectors to promote the development of post-export technical support services such as cargo insurance, trade finance, and legal advice. These concerted solutions help reduce risks, save costs for businesses and enhance the competitiveness of Son La goods.

To maintain a stable export growth rate, maximise export advantages and focus on promoting direct export of key products, on November 20, the provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 2954/QD-UBND on promulgating the plan for exporting products of Son La province in the 2026-2030 period, striving for an export revenue of 400 million USD by 2030, representing an average annual increase of 10-13%. Of the total, 395 million USD will come from the export of agricultural products and foodstuffs; and 5 million USD from the shipments of industrial and handicraft products.

With the right orientation and the support of all levels, sectors, enterprises and cooperatives, Son La province is gradually affirming its position as a bright spot in agricultural export of the northwestern region. The growth of processing enterprises and cooperatives following international standards not only creates high economic value but also raises the brand of Son La agricultural products on the world export map.