Ben Tre Candy Firms Face Sticky Situation

Coconut candy firms in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre and 100 other small manufacturing units have had to suspend their operation or halve their number of working days because of high materials prices, according to Ngo Van Cai, chairman of the Ben Tre Coconut Candy Association.

Coconut candy firms make up 30 percent of the 12 private enterprises in the province. Firms including the Dong A Trade and Services Ltd. Co, Yen Huong and Thanh Long Coconut Candy sell their products in provinces and cities all over the country and to export markets, mainly in China, Laos, Cambodia, Mongolia, and to regions in Europe and the US.

Ben Tre produces around 15,000 tonnes of coconut candy a year, of which 5,500 tonnes are consumed domestically, and 9,500 tonnes are for export, bringing in a total of 11.4 million USD annually.

The coconut candy industry accounts for more than 4,000 fulltime positions, contributing more than VND1.5 billion (US$93,750 ) to the province’s annual State budget. 

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