Tiếng ViệtIn December 2019, a delegation from Thanh Du Minh Co., Ltd. conducted a field visit to the Thu Thua Pineapple Cooperative (HTX Khóm Thủ Thừa) in Ben Luc District, Long An Province. The goal was to survey the pineapple growing region – a fruit considered the “golden specialty” of the area. The trip was led by Mr. Kang (Company Director), accompanied by Ms. Hiep and Ms. Duong. This marked an important step in the company’s journey to build a supply chain of clean, safe, and fully traceable agricultural products.
Why Thu Thua Pineapple?
Long An has long been known for its fertile alluvial soil, which is highly favorable for growing fruit trees. Among them, the Thu Thua pineapple (a local variety) has been cultivated and developed for decades, becoming a staple product for local farmers. The fruit here has unique characteristics: medium size, beautiful golden skin, crisp, firm flesh, a balanced sweet-and-sour taste, and a rich, distinctive aroma unlike any other region.
Crucially, the Thu Thua pineapple has been recognized with a Geographical Indication (GI), making it a source of pride for the people of Long An. For Thanh Du Minh, surveying the farms directly was not just about verifying the raw material quality, but also about affirming the commitment to partnering with local farmers and selecting truly clean and sustainable produce sources.
The Field Trip – An Experience from Field to Fruit
On a sunny morning in December, the delegation had the opportunity to walk directly into the pineapple fields. A familiar scene unfolded: rows of pineapples stretched out, sharp green leaves reaching high, with shimmering golden pineapples standing out against the red soil.
The team members not only observed the cultivation process but also listened to farmers share their insights:
• Pineapples are typically planted at the start of the rainy season and harvested about 14–16 months later.
• To achieve sweet and aromatic fruits, growers must meticulously care for the plants, from selecting seedlings and weeding to applying organic fertilizer and implementing techniques to induce simultaneous flowering.
• The main harvest season falls between the end of the year and the beginning of the new year, a time when the fields turn a brilliant gold, signaling a bumper crop.
The delegation personally selected, cut, and tasted the pineapples right in the field. The balanced sweet-and-sour flavor and intense aroma impressed everyone. This was a vital experience, helping the company leadership truly understand the value of the raw material – something that cannot be fully appreciated through documents or reports, but only by seeing with the eyes, touching with the hands, and tasting with the palate.
Raw Material Selection Criteria
Following the survey, Thanh Du Minh established several key criteria for partnership with the growing region:
• Fruit Quality: Uniform size, thin golden skin, firm flesh, low fiber content, and balanced sweet-and-sour flavor.
• Cultivation Method: Prioritizing farmers who use safe procedures, limit chemical use, and can progress toward organic farming.
• Supply Capacity: The growing area must have a stable yield to ensure a continuous supply for production needs.
• Transparency and Traceability: Ability to control the process from the farm to the collection warehouse, meeting requirements for origin traceability and food safety standards.
The Thu Thua Pineapple Cooperative met these standards exceptionally well, in addition to having long-standing credibility and experience in production management.
Significance of the Trip
For Thanh Du Minh, this trip was more than just selecting raw materials. More importantly, it was an opportunity to build long-term relationships with farmers, understanding their concerns and aspirations. The farmers of Thu Thua have dedicated their lives to the pineapple plant, and their produce is not just a commodity, but a source of pride and the result of diligent labor.
By working directly with the cooperative, the company aims to share responsibility: helping farmers secure stable output, enhance the value of their agricultural products, and bring local produce further afield.
Connecting Value – From Farm to Table
The survey in Long An helped Thanh Du Minh confirm the Thu Thua pineapple as a crucial raw material source for future dried and processed products. Every pineapple reaching the consumer is not just a delicious tropical fruit, but proof of the journey from the field, through the hands of the farmer, to the modern processing facility.
Conclusion
The field trip to the Thu Thua Pineapple Cooperative (Long An, 12/2019) marks an important step in realizing Thanh Du Minh’s mission: to create clean, safe products that are tied to the inherent value of Vietnamese agriculture.
Field Trip Information:
• Location: Thu Thua Pineapple Cooperative, Ben Luc District, Long An Province.
• Date: December 2019.
• Delegates: Mr. Kang (Director – Head of Delegation), Ms. Hiep, Ms. Duong.