Dong Giao Food Import-Export Joint Stock Company (Doveco) inaugurated a paper-based packaging line for fruit at its Son La factory on 2/7. The technology, Tetra Recart, was developed by Tetra Pak.

Doveco's paper-based packaging production line, 2/7. Photo: Ngoc Son

Sweet corn, beans, and other products will now be packaged in paper-based cartons instead of tin cans or glass jars. Nguyen Thanh Giang, General Director of Tetra Pak Vietnam, stated that paper-based packaging has the lowest carbon footprint to date. It reduces CO2 emissions by 80% during production and transportation compared to tin or glass, and by 20% compared to plastic.

The rectangular shape of the cartons also optimizes packaging and storage, reducing the number of trucks needed for transport compared to older, round packaging for the same product volume. This reduction in trucks translates to logistics cost savings of up to 60%, along with reduced emissions from transportation activities.

The Son La factory is one of Doveco's three agricultural product processing centers, with a capacity of 52,000 tons per year. With an investment of 4 million USD (approximately 100 billion VND), Dinh Cao Khue, Chairman of Doveco's Board of Directors, estimates the new line will increase productivity by 50%. It also requires only 6 operators, compared to 40 previously, and can produce 6 to 8 million cartons annually.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam stated that deep processing enterprises are one of three decisive factors in the agricultural product supply chain. The other two are raw material areas and the implementation of linked value chains.

The northern midland and mountainous region has 275,000 hectares of fruit trees, the second largest in the country after the Mekong Delta. Deputy Minister Nam believes this region has a significant advantage in developing raw material areas, linked with deep processing to enhance agricultural product value. Son La plans to develop 80,000 hectares of fruit trees by 2030, with an annual output of 500,000 tons, focusing on products like passion fruit, corn, and pineapple.

In the first six months of the year, Vietnam's agricultural exports reached over 35 billion USD. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment believes the sector's overall export target of 65 billion USD for the year is achievable.

Thuy Truong