Vietnam is one of the world’s leading agricultural producers, known for its abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood. However, beneath the surface of impressive export numbers lies a harsh reality: post-harvest losses remain alarmingly high, costing the nation billions of dollars annually and eroding the competitiveness and profitability of farmers and exporters alike.
Severe Losses: 20–40% of Produce Wasted After Harvest
According to 2024–2025 reports by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Vietnam still suffers post-harvest losses of 20–40% depending on the crop:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables: Up to 35–45% loss due to bruising, spoilage, or improper handling during storage and transport.
- Export-grade produce such as mangoes, lychees, dragon fruits, and durians are frequently rejected due to overripeness, disease, or pesticide residue.
- Seafood products lose 15–20% of value if not pre-processed and frozen promptly after harvest.
The estimated total annual loss is USD 3.5–4.1 billion, equivalent to 12–14% of Vietnam’s total agricultural GDP. These figures reflect not only material waste but also a breakdown in the value chain — where the effort of millions of farmers evaporates due to a lack of post-harvest infrastructure.
The Root Problem: Undervalued Preservation, Outdated Methods
Vietnam’s post-harvest losses are largely caused by a lack of modern preservation systems:
- Inadequate cold storage infrastructure that meets global export standards
- Continued reliance on outdated methods such as manual sorting, stacking, and wrapping
- No control over key preservation factors like temperature, humidity, and atmospheric composition
- Limited access to reefer containers for long-haul exports
- Dependence on traders and lack of ability to store goods during price fluctuations
These challenges highlight a dangerous bottleneck: even with high-quality production, Vietnamese agricultural products lose value before they reach international markets.
Global Practices: Preservation Is a Competitive Strategy
In developed agricultural countries such as the Netherlands, Israel, New Zealand, and the US, post-harvest preservation is a strategic function, not just a logistical task. Controlled-environment storage facilities allow fresh produce to stay in optimal condition for months without chemical additives.
Unfortunately, Vietnam is still investing heavily in farming inputs and not enough in the post-harvest stage, where real value retention — and profit — happen.
CASS: A Breakthrough Solution to Cut Losses by Up to 80%
CASS (Controlled Atmosphere Storage System) introduces a cutting-edge solution by applying CA technology — the global standard in fresh produce preservation.
CASS enables:
✅ Controlled levels of oxygen, CO₂, humidity, and temperature
✅ Extended shelf life by 2–4 times compared to conventional cold storage
✅ Preservation of color, texture, flavor, and nutritional value
✅ Reduced spoilage rate to below 5%
✅ Seamless integration with CA-enabled reefer containers for sea freight
✅ Full product traceability via digital management systems
CASS clients have reported up to 80% reduction in post-harvest loss, better price management, and expanded access to demanding markets like the EU, US, Japan, and South Korea.
Strategic Takeaway: Preservation Is Profit
With rising food safety standards, stricter import regulations, and increasing logistics costs, every kilogram of preserved produce matters.
Post-harvest loss is not just a technical issue — it’s a strategic threat to Vietnam’s agricultural ambitions.
Preservation is no longer an afterthought. It is the new frontline of agricultural competition.
CASS provides the technology, infrastructure, and expertise to help Vietnamese agribusinesses maintain quality, reduce waste, and scale exports confidently.
CASS – Protecting what matters most after harvest. Elevating Vietnamese produce to global standards.
📍 CASS Co., Ltd. – Controlled Atmosphere Storage for Fresh Produce
Lot F5, Street No. 6, Hoa Binh Industrial Park, Nhi Thanh Commune, Thu Thua District, Long An Province
📞 Hotline: +84 931 790 829 – +84 931 780 829
🌐 Website: www.cass.vn
📧 Email: cass@cass.vn
