Building brand that emphasises quality

To date, the three provinces have seen 662 OCOP products, rated from 3 to 5 stars, which have gained a firm foothold in the domestic market, with some even being exported to Europe and Japan.

The local authorities provide solutions to support OCOP producers to improve product quality and packaging design and apply science and technology in their production. The producers have also assisted with registering product origin traceability to meet market demands.

In 2024, Cao Bang province supported OCOP product manufacturers in obtaining Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification — an international standard for food safety management.

Ninh Van Tuyen, Director of HATODO Company Limited in Cao Bang Province, said that the company has utilised local medicinal herbs to develop four OCOP products, which have been rated 3 and 4 star. 

The company has obtained HACCP certification with the support of the local Department of Industry and Trade, thus enhancing the company’s product quality and market access.

In Bac Kan Province, the Thanh Tam Wine Cooperative has its products exported to Japan.

According to the cooperative’s director Nong Thi Tam, it received 2 billion VND funding from the provincial authorities in building workshops, designing labels, and ensuring product quality.

Meanwhile, Phu Binh District in Thai Nguyen has 33 certified OCOP products, which have been marketable both inside and outside the province. 

Duong Van Hong, Director of Nga My Cattle Breeding and Agricultural Production Service Cooperative reported that in 2024, the cooperative provided tonnes of beef jam and dried beef to the market. 

The unit’s success is ensuring food safety and high-quality input materials through strict processing procedures and a biosafety process for raising cattle.

 

Nguyen Thanh Nam, Deputy Chief of Office of the New-Style Rural Development Programme in Thai Nguyen, stressed that the provincial authorities have paid great attention to supporting OCOP producers in applying scientific and technical processes, ensuring food safety, improving packaging design, advertising products, and expanding market connections. 

As a result, OCOP-rated products have seen revenue increases of 20% or more after being qualified for standards of the OCOP programme.

Connecting and expanding consumption market for OCOP products

The provinces of Cao Bang, Bac Kan, and Thai Nguyen have also actively supported OCOP product manufacturers in promoting, connecting, and expanding markets for their products. 

Bac Kan, in particular, has been recognised for its effective initiatives and strategies in connecting and expanding markets for OCOP products.

Ha Sy Thang, Director of Bac Kan Provincial Department of Industry and Trade, noted with pleasure that to date, hundreds of local agricultural and OCOP products have penetrated supermarket systems nationwide. 

In addition, many products have been on sale on e-commerce platforms, expanding opportunities to reach wider customers.

Every year, the province has hosted trade promotion activities, creating opportunities for businesses and cooperatives to seek trade partners and ink trade deals. 

These events facilitate the consumption of agricultural products in domestic markets, with the goal of expanding into export markets.

 

At such events, many contracts have been signed between local businesses and major corporations and associations such as Central Retail Vietnam, Agricultural Trade Promotion Centre, AEON Vietnam, and the Business Association of Overseas Vietnamese, as well as e-commerce trading floors.

Bac Kan Province also supported OCOP producers in utilising e-commerce channels, such as Alibaba, Shopee, Sendo, Lazada, and PostMart.vn, resulting in significant revenue growth for most businesses.

The province has launched launch the backanmarket.vn e-commerce floor, to boost the sustainable consumption of local OCOP goods at both domestic and international markets.

Bac Kan’s OCOP products have garnered favour at domestic markets, and two 5-star OCOP products of vermicelli and leaf yeast wine have been exported to Europe and Japan.

Home to 22,000 ha of tea plantations, the northern province of Thai Nguyen has 154 tea products out of more than 300 ones qualified for the OCOP programme.

The local tea growers have received great support from local authorities in implementing digital transformation and participation in e-commerce markets, thus significantly increasing their revenue.

 

Meanwhile, in recent years, Cao Bang Province has strengthened post-certification inspections to ensure that the quality of OCOP products compliance with regulations.

The province has also supported OCOP producers in applying of science and technology in production and innovating their product design and packaging.

The locality has regularly hosted trade fairs for OCOP products and assisting OCOP producers in participating in promotional events to boost market connections and product consumption. 

Local OCOP producers are also provide with training on promotion and trade techniques on social media platforms, helping them list products on e-commerce platforms, and reach online customers.

Thanks to these efforts, OCOP products from Cao Bang, Bac Kan and Thai Nguyen Provinces are gradually affirming their position in the market and are being positively received by consumers both at home and abroad.

Source: Nhandan News