A star apple cooperative in Tien Giang province, southern Vietnam, exported 110kg of Lo Ren star apples meeting Global GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) standards to Russia for the first time on February 9.

The fruits were sold at VND40,000 per kg, nearly double the domestic price, said Le Van Son, vice head of Vinh Kim cooperative based in Vinh Kim commune, Chau Thanh district.

The cooperative previously delivered 40kg of star apples of the same kind to the Metro Supermarket Group, which channelled the goods to the German market.

It currently purchases about one tonne of star apples per day from local gardens recognized to meet Global GAP standards as well as other important standards and sends them to the capital city of Hanoi for sales.

Vinh Kim cooperative itself grows 47ha of star apple trees that are bearing fruit with an estimated output of about 50 tonnes for export.

The star apple-growing area of Chau Thanh district has 2,300ha of Lo Ren star apple trees which yield an average of 14 tonnes of fruit per ha.

Source: VOV