Since its establishment, Les Vergers Du Mékong has committed to a long-term path of sustainable development, promoting sustainable agriculture and prioritizing local sourcing. Balancing economic, environmental, and social benefits in its daily operations has remained a cornerstone for the company.
The company’s mission is rooted in four main pillars: a sustainable value chain, positive environmental impact, community support, and consumer health. These values are central to Les Vergers Du Mékong’s dedication to responsible, sustainable business practices.
Positive environmental impacts
Les Vergers Du Mékong operates sustainable model farms to explore organic cropping, regenerative agriculture, and eco-friendly farming practices to benefit the environment. In 2016, it launched the Sustainable Fruit Program with its first model farm in Cambodia, near the Vietnam border, later expanding with a second farm in Cambodia and additional projects in Vietnam. These farms have focused on improving soil quality and efficient resource management while seeking chemical alternatives. Over 20 types of fruits and flowers are cultivated on these farms, promoting biodiversity, conserving threatened fruit varieties, and strengthening climate resilience.
Through its brand Le Fruit, Les Vergers Du Mékong has introduced sustainable farming practices in partnership with farmers in the Mekong Delta. Over the past five years, more than 200,000 fruit trees have been planted, helping to increase farmers’ income and reduce emissions of approximately 5,000 tons of CO2 annually.
To reduce environmental impact, Les Vergers Du Mékong prioritizes sustainable materials, such as glass, and has committed to “Zero Waste” initiatives across its production process. Le Fruit has implemented bottle recovery programs in six major cities in Vietnam, recovering for reuse and recycling over 18,000 bottles to date. Sustainable packaging innovations, such as biodegradable coffee capsules and paper packaging, are also a focus. Additionally, the company provides training to farmers on reducing plastic waste in agriculture and using organic fertilizers made from fruit pulp that the company has developed.
Community contributions
For Les Vergers Du Mékong, sustainable agriculture is not just a marketing tool but a way of life. Since 2000, the company has worked with local family farms to create a sustainable fruit supply chain. It has established three collection and training centers in the Mekong Delta, called LE FRUIT HOUSES, which source fresh, traceable fruits while helping farmers achieve environmental certifications. These centers aim to support family farms and strengthen rural communities by offering stable pricing and market forecasts.
The company’s commitment to community support includes training farmers in sustainable agricultural practices, enabling them to minimize pesticide use and use organic fertilizers. This support helps farmers meet the standards for Global GAP certification, a mark of quality in sustainable agriculture. Over 150 farmers were trained in sustainable practices in 2018 alone, with this program ongoing.
Les Vergers Du Mékong hosts annual Farmer Days to recognize local farmers’ contributions. In 2023, this event brought together over 130 farmers from the Mekong Delta and representatives from various departments in Can Tho City, and honored 30 individuals across four award categories: Pioneering Farmers, Connecting Farmers, Resilient Farmers, and Committed Farmers.
Prioritizing consumer health
Sustainable farming is essential for preserving agriculture’s health for future generations, said Jean-Luc Voisin, founder and chairman of Les Vergers Du Mékong. The company is dedicated to producing 100% natural products with minimal processing to retain flavor and nutrients. These products are free from additives, preservatives, artificial flavors, and GMOs, with 18 years of partnerships with around 2,000 small farms in Vietnam ensuring traceability “from farm to table.”
A sustainable value chain
Les Vergers Du Mékong’s commitment to sustainable agriculture led it to adopt a ‘farm-to-table’ model, integrating small producers into the food supply chain. This approach earned it the B Corp certification, a rigorous standard of environmental and social sustainability. This certification recognizes the company’s efforts across farming, local sourcing, natural production, and ethical business practices.
As the first B Corp certified company in Vietnam, Les Vergers Du Mékong is recognized for fostering an environmentally friendly agricultural economy in the Mekong Delta. Its brands Le Fruit and Folliet, operating in Vietnam and Cambodia, reflect its dedication to a sustainable value chain involving approximately 2,000 small farms across Vietnam.
Les Vergers Du Mékong’s long-term commitment creates significant benefits for employees, farmers, consumers, and the environment. The B Corp certification aligns the company with a global movement of businesses committed to principled, progressive business practices.
