Consultancy services to conduct the Market linkage for Cu Lao Gieng Cooperative in An Giang

Terms of Reference

Introduction cooperative

Cu Lao Gieng GAP cooperative was established in late 2020 in Binh Phuoc Xuan commune, Cho Moi district of An Giang province by 7 founding members. The coop has 35 paid members now and more than 200 associated members, growing mango on the area of 475 ha. Key product of GAP Cu Lao Gieng is fresh mango fruit, with the variety of flat seed Taiwan mango variety, in which 232 ha (owned by paid members) is applying VietGAP standard practice.

Key services of the coop to members are now simply collecting and selling fresh mango fruits. They also supported their members with input provision by guarantee with input suppliers. Recently, they started their pilot and prototype processed mango (dried mango) since the end of 2023.

The cooperative expects to enhance the sales of their mango products and develop processed mango business to create higher added value, thereby providing better income for mango farmers.

Background of the assignment

Mango value chain analysis from GIC project in 2022 found down that Vietnam ranked 11^th internationally on mango production. However, like other countries, more than 80% of products is sold domestically. Therefore domestic market is very important for mango business in Vietnam.

With support from GIC project (“Green Innovation Centre”) and investment of the cooperative themselves, a drying house was built to make dried mango. This will create added value for the product while helping to preserve mangoes during the peak season when prices drop significantly. Mangoes that do not meet the standards for sale or export due to appearance will also be consumed in this way.

Drying capacity of the coop is 200 kg of dried mango per day throughout the year. With this new product and capacity, the coop needs to connect to the market for sales. Hanoi, Sai Gon, Binh Duong are three big cities with crowded people, where foodstuff is easy to be consumed. The coop therefore pursues to sell their dried mango in Hanoi, Binh Duong, SaiGon and An Giang home province.

At the request from the coop, Agriterra will organize an assignment team to conduct a market linkage for the coop.

Main objective

To introduce the new-developed dried mango product and mango products of GAP Cu Lao Gieng coop and connect them with potential buyers. Through the assignment which will be conducted together with a national consultant and Agriterra CA, knowledge and capacity of the coop on accessing the mango market will be also increased.

Specific objectives

• Introduce the new product and connect Cu Lao Gieng to potential buyers;
• Increase knowledge and capacity of the coop on accessing the mango market

Expected results

1. One assignment report in English, with the list of potential buyers.
2. One contract/ agreement at least to be signed between the coop and a new buyer.

Assignment details

• Composition of the Agriterra assignment team:        

1. 01 national consultant: specialized in market development or trade promotion and a network for mango stakeholders (agents, supermarkets…) in Hanoi, Sai Gon, Binh Duong and An Giang or other relevant provinces. The national consultant will be mainly in charge for methodology of this assignment and connecting buyers.
2. Agriterra cooperative advisors: Cap Thi Phuong Anh who lead the assignment and in charge for whole completion of this assignment.

• Participation of the cooperative: Five people will be involved whereas two people will conduct fieldwork in An Giang and other provinces (Sai Gon, Binh Duong, Hanoi)
• Duration of the assignment: The timeframe of the assignment will be 13 days in the period of August – September 2024. This includes 2.5 days for preparation and 2 days for reporting.
• Arrangements: Agriterra Vietnam team will handle all logistics arrangements.

Tentative programme

CA = Cap Thi Phuong Anh, Agriterra Cooperative Advisor

National consultant =

The closing date for application: 17.00pm, 16 July 2024

Email for application: [email protected] cc [email protected]