Arabfields, Meriem Senouci, Correspondent, Hanoï, Vietnam — Local authorities and farmers in the Mekong Delta are working together to develop dedicated production areas for the high-yielding MD2 pineapple variety, with a clear focus on meeting international market demands.

In Can Tho city, pineapple cultivation currently covers more than 3,500 hectares. Officials plan to expand this to 5,500 hectares by 2030, incorporating a substantial share of MD2 pineapples to support long-term export growth. By 2050, projections indicate that around 2,000 hectares could be dedicated specifically to this variety across the region.

The initiative targets the conversion of less productive land, including low-yield rice fields, sugarcane plantations, and orchards affected by disease or price instability. In several communes such as Xa Phien, Luong Tam, Luong Nghia, Thuan Hoa, Long Hung, My Tu, Tan Phuoc Hung, and Phung Hiep, authorities have identified nearly 1,100 hectares outside saltwater intrusion dikes as suitable for this shift. Additional planting of 30 to 60 hectares is scheduled through 2026 in targeted areas to build concentrated raw material zones.

Farmers report clear advantages with the MD2 variety compared to traditional Queen pineapples. Yields can reach up to 80 tons per hectare in a single harvest, roughly double that of older varieties, while the plants show strong resistance to common issues like red leaf tip disease. MD2 pineapples adapt well to acidic soils common in the region and require relatively low maintenance when supported by agricultural mulch for weed control.

Tran Phi Hung, a farmer in Long Hung commune, switched his family’s land from oranges and sugarcane to MD2 pineapples in 2020. What began as 5 to 6 hectares has grown to 40 hectares. He explained that previous crops suffered from frequent diseases, unstable prices, and declining profitability, which had made it difficult to sustain operations.

In the My Khanh B cooperative, members benefit from direct contracts with processing and export companies. Westfood, for instance, collects harvests using its own trucks, providing farmers with price stability. Vo Thanh Tung, a participating grower, noted that fixed-price agreements and deferred payments for planting materials have reduced financial pressure. Company technicians visit weekly to offer guidance on fertilization and disease prevention, helping maintain consistent quality.

Profits from MD2 cultivation significantly exceed those from traditional alternatives. With average yields of 50 to 60 tons per hectare and purchase prices ranging from 7,000 to 8,000 VND per kilogram, annual income per hectare can reach 100 to 150 million VND from fruit sales alone, plus additional revenue from selling seedlings. This represents two to three times the returns previously seen from sugarcane or orange production.

The company provides further support in challenging acidic soil areas, offering up to 170 million VND per hectare in assistance for seeds and inputs, repaid after harvest. Contracts guarantee purchase of the entire crop and encourage compliance with GlobalGAP and organic standards to access premium export markets.

Vietnam’s position in the global pineapple trade remains modest relative to a market valued at over 28 billion USD annually. However, the development of reliable MD2 zones in the Mekong Delta positions the country to capture more opportunities, especially as some competitors face production disruptions from natural events.

Local production emphasizes quality through VietGAP standards, parcel coding, and electronic traceability systems. Fresh MD2 pineapples are already packaged for export, with South Korea among the early destinations. Future strategies include diversifying by-products, such as using leaves for handicraft textiles and peels for organic fertilizer production via black soldier fly processing. Integration with agrotourism is also under consideration to create unique experiences around pineapple cultivation and derived products.

Pham Thi Minh Hieu, head of Can Tho’s Plant Production and Plant Protection Department, along with other local leaders, has highlighted the importance of these concentrated zones for sustainable agricultural restructuring. Nguyen Thi Giang, deputy director of the city’s Agriculture and Environment Department, stressed that focused production will help transform low-productivity areas and raise rural incomes.

As Vietnam continues to expand its fruit export sector in 2026, with overall agricultural shipments showing steady growth, the MD2 pineapple initiative in Can Tho exemplifies efforts to align local farming with global standards. Early results suggest improved farmer livelihoods and stronger supply chains, setting the stage for gradual increases in export volumes over the coming years.