The Chief Executive Officer of the International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet), Mr Muhamed Salim bin Mohd Ali, accompanied by Mr Nguyen Van Son of the Southern Horticultural Research Institute (SOFRI), visited Mr Phung’s pomelo orchard in Dong Thap Province, Viet Nam.
The 0.6-hectare orchard was planted about 10 years ago and produces a pink-fleshed pomelo variety. Malaysian coconut trees are also grown among the pomelo trees as an intercrop, making use of the orchard space. This differs from some farms where coconut trees are planted around the perimeter rather than within the orchard.
The farm uses an automatic irrigation system, watering for 20 to 30 minutes every three days. Mr Phung reported that the orchard produced 15 tonnes of pomelo last year, with harvesting taking place throughout the year and averaging more than one tonne per month.
The farm-gate price last year was around VND 25,000 per kilogram, equivalent to approximately US$1 per kilogram.
Mr Phung’s orchard reflects the diversity of Viet Nam’s pomelo sector, where growers cultivate different varieties and apply varied orchard management practices. The country has more than 100,000 hectares of pomelo cultivation, with annual production approaching one million tonnes. Its export prospects have also expanded: Vietnamese pomelos gained access to the United States in 2022 and Australia in 2025, while exports to the United States, New Zealand and South Korea have grown in recent years. These developments underline the importance of consistent quality, traceability and compliance with importing-market requirements.
The visit provided an opportunity for TFNet and SOFRI to learn from Mr Phung’s experience and discuss practical approaches to orchard management, irrigation and intercropping. Such exchanges can help inform future knowledge-sharing activities among TFNet’s member countries.
