Vietnam ships first 24-tonne batch of frozen sugarcane to South Korea

First shipment opens South Korean market

Vietnamese processor Tien Ngan Investment Trading Co. has exported its first 24-tonne shipment of frozen sugarcane to South Korea, marking a new outlet for processed agricultural products from Phu Tho province. According to Soha, the cargo was sourced from growing areas in Dai Dong commune and Thong Nhat ward and shipped under a cooperation plan with South Korean partner Tomas.

Tien Ngan expects to deliver about 100 tonnes of frozen sugarcane to South Korea during 2026. The company had previously shipped the product successfully to the United States, providing an initial commercial test of demand beyond Vietnam’s nearby Asian markets.

The provincial Agriculture and Environment Department said the company is continuing to refine its production procedures, plant quarantine controls and food-safety compliance. South Korea requires close attention to product quality, traceability and sanitary standards. Tien Ngan tested the product, adjusted its processes and obtained HACCP certification before entering the market.

Freezing changes the commercial model

Fresh sugarcane has a limited marketing window and is closely tied to harvest timing. Frozen sugarcane is processed soon after harvest, extending storage life and making long-distance distribution more practical. At the factory, stalks are cleaned, peeled, cut into sections and stripped of their eyes before being packed to the importing market’s specifications. The shipment is then moved to a transit warehouse in Hanoi for export.

The process is designed to preserve freshness and the crop’s natural sweetness while producing a convenient, ready-to-handle product. Controls cover the entire chain, from the growing area through primary processing and packaging. Technical authorities work with the company to monitor compliance with Vietnamese rules and the food-safety and plant-quarantine requirements of destination markets.

This approach gives sugarcane a role beyond sale as a fresh agricultural raw material. Longer shelf life reduces dependence on immediate consumption during the harvest period, while standardized processing allows suppliers to target distant markets. It may also give growers a more predictable outlet if export orders develop into recurring contracts.

Company seeks wider supply base and new destinations

Tien Ngan plans to expand its links with sugarcane-growing areas in Tan Lac, Cao Phong, Muong Bi and Muong Thang to secure raw material for export orders. The proposed chain connects cultivation, purchasing, preliminary processing, freezing and overseas sales. For farmers, stable procurement could support investment in crop management, productivity and raw-material quality.

Soha, citing Phu Tho Newspaper and the provincial Crop Production and Plant Protection Sub-department, also reported that the authority supported exports of several agricultural products during the first six months of 2026, including 24 tonnes of frozen sugarcane to markets such as the EU, South Korea, China, Japan and the United Kingdom. The combined export value of the supported agricultural consignments exceeded $335,000. This figure covers the various products involved, not frozen sugarcane alone.

Tien Ngan views South Korea as a stepping stone toward Japan, Taiwan and Europe. Expansion will depend on maintaining traceability, phytosanitary compliance and consistent processing across a larger supply base. For Vietnamese sugarcane producers, the emerging category offers a way to capture value through preparation and preservation rather than relying only on fresh sales or conventional industrial processing.