The Ben Tre Green Pomelo Cooperative (comprising 445 farmers across over 180 hectares) has successfully implemented a biological pest control method using weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) to meet the stringent export standards of the European market, specifically the rigorous Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs < 0.01 mg/kg). Instead of relying on synthetic pesticides, the cooperative leverages the ants' chemical ecology: they emit a compound called 1-octanol that highly repels fruit flies and other destructive pests.

With technical and professional support from the Southern Horticultural Research Institute, members of the Ben Tre Green Pomelo Cooperative have received training to raise awareness on key areas: safe cultivation processes, and standardized handling and packaging procedures for pomelo exports to the European market. This also serves as a preparatory step for a large-scale cooperative aiming to expand its cultivation area and increase the volume of high-quality products for other demanding markets.

The virtual Vietnam International Food Industry Exhibition – Virtual Vietnam Foodexpo 2021 opened on December 7. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai attended and delivered the opening speech at the event.

The journey of bringing Ben Tre green pomelo to the international market is not only a pride of Vietnamese agricultural products but also a testament to the right direction of the Cooperative model. Let's explore the journey to conquer the North American market and the immense benefits hundreds of farmers receive when joining the Cooperative.

After a successful year of expanding the domestic market, penetrating demanding export markets, Ben Tre Green Pomelo cooperative held the ground-breaking ceremony for a new factory on March 4th, 2021 to boost their marketing - production capacity toward a complete agricultural value chain.

“The pomelos that we have just received from Vietnam are at a very high quality, very juicy, and very fragrant. We are used to having this fruit from everywhere, including China, Brazil, and Israel. But these pomelos reach another level with an exceptional texture and level of juice."- Patricia Masbourian, owner of Fruiterie Chez Nino at Atwater Market in Montreal