Brand protection for typical agricultural products

To enhance the value of products, Son La province has focused on implementing scientific tasks, focusing on building and developing brands for key agricultural products, affirming quality and origin in the market. Thereby, creating legal barriers to prevent copying and counterfeiting; protecting production, maximizing commercial value and strengthening customer trust.

Tay Bac Tea and Specialties Joint Stock Company introduces Ta Xua ancient San Tuyet tea products.

In the period of 2021-2025, Son La province has proactively developed and issued a plan to implement the Intellectual Property Strategy, achieving many important results in creating intellectual property and quality management. In particular, the province has organized 92 council sessions, recognized 181 innovative solutions, and supported the construction of a traceability system for 62 agricultural products, along with 69 other products. In particular, focusing on developing intellectual property through scientific and technological tasks, to register and protect certification marks for key agricultural products, such as: Dragon fruit, macadamia, Son La pineapple, Ta Xua Bac Yen tea, exploiting the geographical indication of Yen Chau round mango and registering to protect the "Son La" trademark in the Chinese market for mango and longan. Promote the application of scientific and technological advances in production, focusing on building specialized areas according to VietGAP, GlobalGAP standards and equivalent standards, aiming towards organic production and implementing effective farming techniques, such as pruning, canopy creation, crop spreading, and off-season cultivation to improve product quality and value.

To date, the province has had 29 agricultural products bearing the province's geographical name granted protection certificates by the Department of Intellectual Property, an increase of 8 products compared to 2020, including: 3 geographical indications, 23 certification marks and 3 collective marks. Notably, the province's agricultural products are not only protected domestically but also reach out to the international market with 2 products protected abroad, typically Moc Chau Shan Tuyet tea in Thailand and Shan Tuyet tea products and Yen Chau round mango products protected in the European market according to the commitments in the Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) between Vietnam and the European Union.

The whole province has over 4,000 hectares of crops using water-saving irrigation systems; 5,596 hectares of crops meeting VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards; 8,217 hectares of organic production; over 19,200 hectares of coffee certified to 4C, UTZ and equivalent standards. 9 high-tech agricultural zones have been recognized with key products such as tea, dairy cows, coffee, custard apples, mangoes, longans, and plums; brand building with 308 safe supply chains and 218 growing area codes on 3,142 hectares; development of 241 provincial and national OCOP products.

Booth introducing processed coffee products of Aratay Coffee Cooperative at the National Trade Fair.

In recent years, the brand value of " Son La Coffee" has continued to expand, affirming its position and quality in the international market. Up to now, 7 organizations have been granted the right to use geographical indications by the Department of Intellectual Property, such as: Son La Coffee Processing Joint Stock Company, Phuc Sinh Son La Joint Stock Company, Minh Tien Group Joint Stock Company - Son La Branch, Bich Thao Son La Cooperative, Aratay Coffee Cooperative...

Ms. Cam Thi Mon, Director of Aratay Coffee Cooperative, Muong Chanh Commune, shared: Being granted the right to use the Geographical Indication "Son La Coffee" is a big turning point for the Cooperative, not only recognizing the quality of the product but also helping us build strong trust with export partners. Aratay Cooperative's deep-processed coffee products have reached more demanding markets. In 2024, the Cooperative sold over 10 tons of various types of green coffee. Stable and higher purchasing prices have brought a better life to the Cooperative members. We are committed to continuing to cultivate according to high quality standards to maintain and enhance the value of this common brand.

Members of Ngoc Hoang Agricultural Cooperative harvest dragon fruit.

Dragon fruit is the 13th largest crop in terms of area and 3rd in terms of export value in Son La province. Since August 2024, the "Son La Dragon Fruit" trademark has been recognized by the Intellectual Property Office. The certification trademark is a solid lever for the product to expand its export market.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Director of Ngoc Hoang Agricultural Cooperative, Ta Hoc Commune, shared: Being one of the 5 cooperatives using the "Son La Dragon Fruit" trademark certification has opened up many opportunities for the cooperative to continue expanding its export market. Every year, we maintain a stable export of nearly 1,000 tons of dragon fruit to demanding markets such as France, the Netherlands, Italy and EU countries. The average income of cooperative members has reached nearly 1 billion VND/year.

Brand protection is not only a legal matter but also the "key" for Son La's typical agricultural products to affirm their position on the world agricultural map.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/kinh-te/bao-ho-thuong-hieu-cho-san-pham-nong-san-tieu-bieu-IKwwlLeNg.html