Nghe An eel products exported to EU

The main ingredient of instant eel products is processed from Nghe An eel. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Choosing to start a business from Nghe An's specialty - Nghe An eel, Tran Ha Nhung (born in 1986), in Ha Huy Tap ward (Vinh city), Director of NAP Food Culinary Development Limited Liability Company, has invested in modern production lines and machinery to produce packaged eel soup, eel vermicelli and instant eel porridge.

"Because it is a specialty that is loved and known by many people, the market is very open. However, because it is a specialty, a famous delicacy, it has a unique, distinctive taste, so when switching from fresh eel to packaged dried eel, how to make it complete and suitable for the taste of diners is not simple," Ms. Tran Ha Nhung shared.

The processing stage always ensures food hygiene and safety. Photo: Thanh Phuc

After a process of exploration and testing, always putting quality first: Eel must be standard wild eel; rice for porridge must be country rice, shallots and turmeric for spices must also be standard country flavor, organically grown and purely natural. In particular, during the processing process, the company has applied the most advanced technology so that eel dishes do not lose their characteristic flavor such as freeze-drying, water separation... thanks to that, packaged eel, ready-to-eat but still retains its characteristic flavor, standard Nghe An specialty.

Thanks to that, NAP Food's eel products have conquered the domestic market and signed many export contracts abroad. Since June 2021, ready-to-eat packaged eel products have been exported to Australia, the UK, South Korea, and Japan with a quantity of 12-15 containers/year.

Nghe An eel products of NAP Food Culinary Development Company Limited. Photo: Thanh Phuc

And most recently (March 7), a Czech Republic partner signed a contract to sell 4 containers of packaged eel products per year. Up to now, Nghe An eel products have been officially exported to Australia, Japan, the Czech Republic and soon to China, the US and Singapore.

Ms. Tran Ha Nhung - Director of NAP Food Culinary Development Company Limited said: “EU countries are large markets with abundant export potential for agricultural products in general and instant eel products in particular. However, this is also a demanding market, requiring very strict products, from traceability of input materials, quality, design, especially food hygiene and safety. Therefore, the production and processing process is strictly inspected, supervised and tested by partners”.

By March 2023, Nghe An instant eel products will be exported to EU countries. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Exporting processed eel products to other countries not only enhances the brand of Nghe An eel, promotes Nghe An specialties to diners around the world, but also helps consume eel products of Nghe An farmers; creating jobs for dozens of local workers.

“In addition to the revenue generated, in addition to the income for dozens of employees of the company, in addition to purchasing dozens of tons of eel, rice, shallots, and fresh turmeric for farmers each year, what makes me always strive unceasingly is the pride for a dish, a specialty of Nghe An that has spread far and wide.

Currently, instant products made from Nghe An eel have become a delicacy in every Vietnamese family, present on the shelves of supermarkets, stores, and agents in countries around the world. Nghe An specialties have reached diners around the world," Tran Ha Nhung proudly said.

Signing ceremony of business cooperation between NAP Food Culinary Development Company Limited and Japanese partner. Photo: Thanh Phuc