Coffee, durian and lobster are three standout commodities in Dak Lak, distinguished by their scale, economic value combined with potential for building strong agricultural brands. Yet production volume becomes a genuine economic advantage only when products meet consistent standards, undergo deeper processing, offer transparent traceability and are integrated into well-organised value chains. 

Enhancing the brand value of Dak Lak coffee and durian

From a name identifying a growing area, Buon Ma Thuot Coffee has evolved into a geographical indication protected in numerous countries, closely associated with basalt soil, generations of farming expertise alongside indigenous culture. To safeguard the brand, Dak Lak has identified standardised raw-material zones as a priority, with cooperatives (co-ops) serving as hubs for service provision, quality control and collection, while businesses place orders, process and distribute products.

Dak Lak coffee needing greater investment in deep processing to improve quality and command higher prices.

PPC Vice Chairman, comrade Nguyen Thien Van has called on relevant agencies to advise on solutions for deeper processing as well as coordinate the development of industrial parks and clusters to attract investment in agricultural, forestry along with aquatic product processing. For coffee, priorities include upgrading roasting and grinding capacity, expanding soluble coffee production, developing specialty coffee, improving storage facilities while diversifying convenient coffee products.

For Dak Lak durian, growing-area codes are crucial for quality control and strengthening brand value. The province currently has 280 approved durian growing-area codes covering around 7,500 hectares, alongside 42 packing facilities meeting export requirements.

In preparation for the 2026 crop, provincial authorities have called for a comprehensive review of each growing-area code, prompt resolution of disputes and overlaps, as well as expedited completion of applications for novel codes. Relevant agencies are also assessing purchasing along with processing capacity at 109 businesses and facilities engaged in trading, preliminary processing, segmenting while freezing durian, with a view to determining capacity across the entire supply chain.

Restructuring lobster farming areas

With more than 189 km of coastline, Dak Lak has considerable room for developing its marine economy and aquaculture sector. The province currently has around 153,000 farming cages across nearly 2,000 hectares of water surface, with output reaching 2,520 tonnes in 2025 alongside an estimated 1,520 tonnes in the H1 of 2026. However, farming methods remain relatively basic, while high cage density, environmental pollution and disease outbreaks result in losses of around 30-35 % each crop. Shortages of quality seed, limited market access, difficulties in allocating or leasing sea areas, as well as the issuance of farming-facility identification codes also affect traceability and food-safety certification.

Dak Lak fishermen harvesting farmed lobsters in Xuan Dai Bay.

Under the Master Plan for Aquaculture Development, by 2030, commercial lobster farming areas using cages coupled with rafts are expected to shrink to around 1,000 hectares, with 48,000 cages, alongside livelihood-transition plans, upgraded farming infrastructure and stronger market linkages.

The agricultural sector plans to reorganise cage together with raft systems, expand offshore farming, encourage HDPE cages and study onshore aquaculture models. Priorities also include stronger environmental monitoring, disease surveillance, tighter feed controls, combined with a greater role for co-ops and co-op groups in connecting fishermen with businesses.

According to Mr. Tran Dinh Luan, Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, lobster is a key species in Viet Nam’s national mariculture strategy, which targets 8% annual growth in aquaculture production value alongside a 15% contribution to seafood export turnover by 2030. Dak Lak needs to shift from extensive growth towards higher-value, technology-driven development, with science coupled with technology, digital transformation and innovation serving as key drivers.

The province needs to attract investment in cold storage, deep processing and logistics, while developing frozen, processed and value-added lobster products to reduce reliance on the live-lobster market. The “Dak Lak Lobster” brand must be backed by registered farming areas, legally sourced seed, safe production practices and strict management of geographical indications.

Translated by HAI LOAN