A number of OCOP products made by Bac Kan province have reached the world market. This initial success has also prompted effective export approaches to large and potential world markets, thus elevating the class of OCOP products.
Local specialty
Bac Kan is still famous for growing and processing vermicelli made from arrowroot, especially in Con Minh commune, Na Ri district, where there are more than 20 processors. On April 22, 2021, the Bac Kan Provincial Party Committee issued a resolution on agricultural and forestry development based on commercially centralized and coordinated production along the value chain, coupled with its new rural construction in 2021 - 2025. Bac Kan built a stable material area for a self-contained vermicelli value chain. Arrowroots are not grown for sale or starch processing.
The opportunity for exporting vermicelli came to Bac Kan following a trip to the Czech Republic, led by Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee Do Thi Minh Hoa, to survey and study afforestation models based on European technologies and understand the market for agricultural products. Through exchanges and working meetings with the Embassy of Vietnam and the Vietnamese Association in the Czech Republic, the delegation learned about what the market needed and how the province could meet its needs. Bac Kan Provincial People's Committee agreed to choose Tai Hoan Cooperative in Con Minh commune, Na Ri district, as a partner to export vermicelli to Europe. The province spent a lot to support Tai Hoan Cooperative to complete its processing plant. The province funded VND2 billion to the cooperative to purchase machinery, equipment, drying houses and other facilities. Its processing capacity increased from just 10 tons of vermicelli a year to more than 300 tons. In particular, vermicelli of Tai Hoan Cooperative was the only product of Bac Kan province to be certified the 5-star OCOP certification.
Up to now, its vermicelli has passed the strictest standards and is certified to meet European export standards by its partners. Currently, its vermicelli processing capacity is 1-2 tons a day.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoan, Director of Tai Hoan Cooperative, said it took more than three months to fulfill all vermicelli export procedures and conditions, including the passing of rigorous quality control. In August 2020, the cooperative exported the first batch of 5.3 tons of vermicelli to the Czech Republic for nearly US$15,000. In May 2021, it shipped another 10.5 tons of vermicelli to the Czech Republic for more than US$29,000. In the second quarter of 2022, Tai Hoan Cooperative exported nearly 10 more tons of vermicelli to Europe.
Tai Hoan vermicelli is beautifully packaged with elegant labels and complete information. The product is carefully tested for food safety, with no additives and no preservatives. Currently, Tai Hoan Cooperative produces over 200 tons of vermicelli a year, sold widely across the country.
Leaf-fermented wine
After vermicelli, leaf-fermented wine is the next product to be licensed for export to the EU. In late October, Thanh Tam Cooperative in Cho Don district, Bac Kan province exported the first batch to Japan. Bang Phuc commune, thousands of meters above sea level, with a cool climate and fresh cold water, has long been famous in Bac Kan for its winemaking. Traditional winemaking is popular in all nine villages of the commune. Wine production output is nearly 210,000 liters per month, or more than 6,000 liters a day. The product is sold in many provinces. Local revenue from winemaking and pig rearing is estimated at more than VND65 billion a year.
To increase its product value, Thanh Tam Cooperative with 24 members is cooperating with 11 local ethnic minority households. The product is certified 3-star OCOP. On average, each month, the cooperative produces and sells 10,000 liters of leaf-fermented wine to the market. Its members have boldly, actively searched for partners and brought their products to strict markets such as Japan.
In the coming time, the Bac Kan Provincial People’s Committee will direct Cho Don district and relevant agencies to support Bang Phuc commune to build a traditional winemaking village associated with tourism and export orientations. This will be a methodical way to improve the production of locally distinctive OCOP products of Cho Don in particular and Bac Kan in general.n
Bao Dan (Vietnam Business Forum)
Vietnamese
October 2024
Hanoi