Expanding high-value crop production
According to Đoàn Ngọc Có, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, Gia Lai is prioritizing high-demand crops such as coffee, pepper, cashew, rubber, and tropical fruits, banana, avocado, passion fruit, and durian, alongside medicinal herbs like reishi mushrooms, turmeric, lemongrass, and ginger.
Currently, around 50% of the province’s crop area meets international standards, signaling a shift toward sustainable production tied to enterprises across the value chain.
Gia Lai coffee is now exported to 60 countries, while fresh fruits mainly go to Japan, South Korea, and China, and processed fruits target European markets. The province also boasts 92 OCOP (One Commune One Product) items rated 4-5 stars with export potential, covering food, handicrafts, and medicinal herbs.
Gia Lai has 248 planting area codes for exports to China, spanning 10,095 hectares, and 40 packing facilities with a combined capacity of 1,800 tons per day, establishing a firm base for long-term export growth.
Building sustainable value chains
The province has developed agricultural value chains for coffee, passion fruit, durian, and medicinal herbs, helping farmers stabilize output, reduce costs, and enhance quality. Investments in infrastructure and international-standard technology have opened pathways into demanding markets including the EU, Japan, and South Korea.
Vĩnh Hiệp Co., Ltd., based in An Phú Ward, produces about 160,000 tons of coffee annually under 4C and Rainforest Alliance standards. Deputy Director Trần Thị Lan Anh said the company partners with over 10,000 farming households and cooperatives, emphasizing technology transfer, digital transformation, and multi-layered value chains that promote both sustainability and efficiency.
Expanding banana and durian exports
Gia Lai’s high-altitude areas, 700–800 meters above sea level, such as Chư Sê, Ia Băng, Kon Gang, Bàu Cạn, and Lơ Pang are ideal for cultivating Cavendish bananas. The province currently exports about 150,000 tons of bananas each year.
Gia Lai Livestock JSC, part of Hoàng Anh Gia Lai Group, manages 1,700 hectares of fruit trees, including 1,380 hectares of GlobalGAP-certified bananas, exporting 62,000 tons annually to Japan, South Korea, and China.
Meanwhile, Hưng Sơn high-tech agriculture JSC is studying new export markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, and the Middle East to expand cultivation areas and output.
Durian has also become a growth driver, with 8,500 hectares under cultivation and annual output of about 57,725 tons. Thagrico Cao Nguyên Fruit Co. Ltd., a Thaco Agri subsidiary, owns nearly 1,000 hectares of durian in Ia Tôr and Ia Púch communes. Its first 100 hectares are now in commercial harvest, producing 1,000 tons this year. Output is expected to reach 3,000 tons in 2026, 5,000 - 6,000 tons by 2027, and 10,000 tons by 2030. About 70% will be exported, and 30% consumed domestically.
Director Hồ Đắc Quang emphasized that meeting international market requirements, particularly pesticide-free standards, is essential for export success. He noted that when farmers apply standards such as GlobalGAP, their products can enter premium markets worldwide.
In 2024, Vietnam’s durian exports reached a record US$3.2 billion (VNĐ 78.2 trillion), underscoring the immense global potential of this fruit.
Gia Lai, Vietnam’s second-largest province by area, has about 977,000 hectares of agricultural land and 777,000 hectares under cultivation. The province’s 2025 food output is projected to exceed 1.35 million tons.
*Coffee: 107,408 ha (56,600 ha certified Organic, Rainforest Alliance, 4C), producing 333,256 tons
*Banana: 7,850 ha (3,791 ha GlobalGAP), producing 316,220 tons
*Passion fruit: 5,650 ha (1,153 ha VietGAP), yielding 213,150 tons
*Sweet potato: 5,600 ha (929 ha VietGAP), producing 98,000 tons
*Durian: 8,500 ha (1,800 ha GlobalGAP, 741 ha VietGAP), producing 57,725 tons
The province also cultivates coconut, chili, watermelon, dragon fruit, avocado, and medicinal herbs, contributing to its diverse export portfolio.