“The resort city of Dalat will become a new “Holland” in flower export, says Mr Thomas Hoof, General Director of Dalat Hasfarm – the only flower exporter in Vietnam - in a talk with a Vietnam Business Forum reporter.
You have been in this business for quite a long time. Why did you invest in Vietnam instead of other countries where you also carried out surveys?
I did carry out survey in many Asian countries. I grew flowers in Indonesia, but they were not good enough to export. The reason I selected Dalat is that I wanted a suitable location to grow high quality products. A short visit to Dalat in 1993 confirmed that this was the place I was looking for. For me, Dalat is the best location with many benefits like high attitude, available land, water and good human resources.
Everything went quickly, we received good support from the local authorities and in 1994 Dalat Hasfarm was established. Three years later we began exports to Japan and Singapore.
Could you please share your experience of exporting to Japan?
We export many flowers including chrysanthemums, lilies, carnations and roses, but our major product to Japan is chrysanthemum. Our first shipment to Japan was around 1997, at about 500 kg with 2 shipments a week. But now our volume can be 4 to 6 tons a day by air. To export to Japan, you must have a good product. Good quality is the most important factor to reach Japan’s market. Another important factor is that your products must be free of disease. Consistency in both quality and quantity is also a must.
What is the basis of success at Dalat Hasfarm?
Right time, right place, and right person, I think. I know many other foreign companies have left Vietnam, because of lacking these. In addition, a good business plan is crucial for success. I myself cannot make success, but I have a good staff. My challenge, then, is how to sail the ship, as captain.
Vietnamese
