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Antesco Accompanies An Giang’s Agriculture on the Path to Sustainable Development
Jun
As the first company in Vietnam to export frozen agricultural products to the global market, An Giang Fruit-Vegetables and Foodstuff Joint Stock Company (Antesco) has nearly 50 years of experience in the industry. Throughout its journey, Antesco has consistently supported and contributed to the sustainable development of An Giang agriculture. Notably, through its production – consumption linkage model, the company has created job opportunities and actively promoted effective crop transition.
Strategic partnership for raw material development
With a well-structured strategy and a long-term vision, Antesco has established a closed-loop value chain, covering every stage from production to processing and export. The company works closely with farmers to develop high-standard raw material areas, ensuring a stable and quality supply. In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Department of Agriculture and Environment) and the Provincial Farmers’ Association, Antesco has signed agreements to develop cultivation areas that meet international export standards such as Global GAP and VietGAP, etc. The company has committed to purchasing produce from over 10,000 hectares of linked cultivation areas across the province. Additionally, Antesco has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the districts of Cho Moi, Phu Tan, and An Phu to formalize the development of raw material zones and strengthen local production-consumption linkages.
Since 2021, cultivation areas linked to Antesco’s raw material development program have steadily expanded each year:
In 2021: 3,695 hectares (including 3,600 hectares of baby corn and 95 hectares of edamame); In 2022: 4,132 hectares (including 3,900 hectares of baby corn and 232 hectares of edamame); In 2023: 4,327 hectares (including 4,000 hectares of baby corn and 327 hectares of edamame); In 2024: 2,553 hectares (including 2,100 hectares of baby corn and 453 hectares of edamame); In 2025 the expected areas is 5,000 hectares (including 4,000 hectares of baby corn and 1,000 hectares of edamame).
While the baby corn cultivation areas have remained largely stable, a temporary reduction occurred in 2024 due to an internal production adjustment. In contrast, the edamame area has steadily increased year over year, delivering higher profits to farmers.
Antesco partners with My An Commune to develop baby corn cultivation using organic fertilizer integrated with cattle farming
Mr. Nguyen Huy Cuong, Deputy General Director of Antesco, shared: “The collaboration between farmers and the company is effectively implemented through cooperatives (HTX), farmer groups (THT), and household representatives. As of early 2025, Antesco has partnered with over 1,000 cooperatives and linked production with more than 5,000 farming households, all of whom receive technical support and guaranteed product purchasing. The company has secured over 10,000 hectares of key crops, including baby corn, edamame, and Keo mango, etc. Purchase prices and specifications are set by Antesco before planting begins, providing farmers with peace of mind and stability in production. In addition to traditional crops, we have also introduced Keo mango to the linkage program, offering farmers new opportunities and gradually stabilizing this product line.”
Flexible contract farming model
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Minh, General Director of Antesco, explained that the company employs two primary cooperation models, tailored to the characteristics of each crop type. The first method is a full Contract Farming Model, applied to short-cycle vegetable crops such as baby corn, edamame, sweet corn, and okra. Antesco provides seeds, organic fertilizers, and cultivation guidance. Purchase prices are guaranteed before planting (Organic fertilizers are currently used for baby corn and edamame, with plans to expand to other crops). This model is part of Antesco’s circular economy initiative, where fruit peels are recycled into organic fertilizer to nourish future crops.
The second method is a Market-Based Contract Farming Model, applied to long-term fruit crops such as mango, durian, and pomelo. The company purchases at competitive, market-aligned prices. If market prices exceed the company’s offer, farmers are free to sell to other buyers to maximize their profit. Purchase prices are calculated based on production costs plus a reasonable profit margin to ensure stable annual income for farmers.
Expanding the Agricultural Value Chain with Export Focus
According to Mr. Nguyen Hoang Minh, besides contract farming for vegetable crops, Antesco is also focusing on developing a sustainable supply chain for long-term fruit crops such as mango, durian, and pomelo. Currently, the company has already established stable export markets in South Korea, the Middle East, and China, for both processed and fresh fruit products. He emphasized that the strong support from provincial, district, and commune authorities over the years has been a key driver for Antesco’s confidence in expanding its market and bringing An Giang’s agricultural products to international markets.
With rising global demand for produce that meets quality and pesticide residue standards, companies must now ensure their raw material areas are certified to Global Gap, Organic, and other international standards. Alongside expanding cultivation areas in An Giang, Antesco is committed to continuing to support farmers with stable product outlets to prevent price drops and market losses. Expanding export markets and increasing the value of An Giang’s agricultural products. Collaborating closely with local authorities and relevant departments to support sustainable agricultural development. Strictly controlling cultivation processes to ensure product quality and food safety. Antesco’s key message to farmers is that adhering to proper production practices is essential for producing high-quality products that meet export requirements.
