Cooperatives rush into Spring

As the new spring arrives, members of cooperatives are busily producing a large volume of high-quality goods to meet consumer demand during the Tet holiday. The development of cooperatives not only preserves cultural traditions but also creates regular employment for thousands of workers, boosting socio-economic development. In particular, many distinctive products from cooperatives in the ancestral land region have established brands, expanding into domestic and export markets.

Thanh Son Sour Meat Cooperative - Phu Tho , Thanh Son town, Thanh Son district, focuses on improving the design and quality of OCOP products to meet market demand during Tet (Lunar New Year).

Product diversification and proactive supply chain management.

These days, the atmosphere at Thanh Son Sour Meat Cooperative in Thanh Son town, Thanh Son district, Phu Tho province, is busier than ever. In particular, traditional sour meat products, garlic and chili sour meat, galangal sour meat, shredded spring rolls, sour meat in bamboo tubes, etc., are being produced in larger quantities, especially the sour meat in bamboo tubes and sour meat in plastic containers that meet OCOP 4-star standards. During this period, the cooperative has received additional orders from distributors, agricultural product stores, and convenience stores in more than 20 provinces and cities nationwide.

The eleventh lunar month of each year is the peak production time for the cooperative. Ms. Ha Thi Ngoc Diep, Director of the cooperative, said: During this time, the cooperative has to mobilize nearly 20 workers to increase production to ensure a sufficient supply for the market. At the end of the year, the cooperative aims to produce about 300kg of fermented pork per day, enough for large orders before the 15th day of the twelfth lunar month. Besides ensuring quality, for fermented pork products that meet OCOP standards, the cooperative focuses on investing in design and packaging to suit modern tastes and reflect the cultural essence of the ancestral land, making them an ideal choice for consumers as Tet gifts.

Similar to the Thanh Son sour meat cooperative in Phu Tho province, the My Lung Ga Gay sticky rice production and general trading cooperative in My Lung commune, Yen Lap district, began receiving Tet (Lunar New Year) orders from the beginning of October. To date, the cooperative has delivered approximately 60% of its OCOP-certified Ga Gay sticky rice to markets within and outside the province. Mr. Khuat Ngoc Tung, the cooperative's director, stated: By boosting production for the Tet season, the cooperative has created jobs for many local workers and provided members with additional income to cover their Tet expenses. To achieve this success, the cooperative actively participated in trade promotion programs and events organized by the province, and received support in connecting with consumers from relevant agencies. As a result, in 2024, the number of customers increased and the distribution channels expanded significantly.

Currently, the province has hundreds of OCOP products ranging from 3 to 5 stars, focusing on agricultural products, processed foods, beverages, and handicrafts. During Tet (Lunar New Year), products from cooperatives are assessed to have good sales and are favored by consumers. Agricultural products include Đoan Hùng pomelo, Thanh Sơn sour meat, Hùng Lô rice noodles, Gà Gáy sticky rice, Phú Thịnh green tea, Đá Hen green tea, Long Cốc tea, Cẩm Mỹ tea, and Đất Tổ sticky rice cakes; as well as meat, vegetables, and fruits. Besides familiar specialty products, the Tet market welcomes many new, high-quality products from cooperatives such as papaya flower and black sesame tea, perilla leaf tea, celery tea... and sticky rice, wine, salt-cured chicken...

Products from cooperatives in Yen Lap district were introduced and sold at the market, promoting the consumption of products from ethnic minority and mountainous areas in the province.

In reality, the OCOP (One Commune One Product) program is contributing to expanding consumer opportunities during the Tet holiday season. Cooperatives are strictly adhering to standards from quality to packaging, ensuring their products gain a firm foothold in both domestic and international markets. From the final months of the year, cooperatives with OCOP products have proactively increased the quantity and diversified their offerings. Some units have collaborated with supermarkets and shopping malls in the province to open stalls selling OCOP products, making it easier for consumers to choose products and increasing revenue during Tet.

"Bridge" for cooperative products to take center stage.

Currently, there are 624 active cooperatives in the province with over 108,400 members. Based on a strategy of diversifying agricultural products to meet market demands, many cooperatives have successfully promoted the formation of cooperative production models along value chains linked to key local products. To date, 127 products from nearly 80 cooperatives in the province have been evaluated and classified as OCOP (One Commune One Product) with 3 stars or higher. OCOP products from cooperatives are increasingly asserting their position in the market, with the value of goods from these products increasing by 15-20%, opening up prospects for sustainable development for cooperatives and the local economy.

Having been a loyal customer of imported goods for many years, this Tet holiday, Ms. Mai Hoa from Gia Cam ward, Viet Tri city, prioritized OCOP products from cooperatives such as Hung Lo rice noodles, Long Coc tea, and Hong Sam lotus leaf tea. She shared with the reporter: “Not only my family but also my colleagues at work have become accustomed to using OCOP products from cooperatives that reflect the unique regional characteristics. Moreover, finding these products is relatively easy; you can find them at supermarkets, organic food stores, or on e-commerce platforms. This year, my family chose OCOP products for personal use and as gifts. This is also my way of supporting agricultural products from the ancestral land.”

Hung Lo rice noodles, produced by Hung Lo Rice Noodle Cooperative in Hung Lo commune, Viet Tri city, were displayed at the OCOP product exhibition booth and were a preferred choice for customers.

OCOP products from cooperatives have had their packaging and labels designed by districts, cities, towns, and investors to attract consumers; they contain all the necessary product information, QR codes, barcodes, etc., ensuring compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations. Besides traditional distribution channels, in line with the digital transformation trend, cooperatives have begun to apply technology to open additional distribution channels through websites and social media. Acting as a "bridge" to support and accompany cooperatives in trade promotion and connecting product consumption during the Lunar New Year, the Provincial Cooperative Union participates in organizing exhibitions, promotions, and product introductions at events and fairs, and promotes products through mass media and social networks to help cooperatives bring the province's agricultural products to a wider consumer base.

According to Ms. Vu Thi Minh Tam, Permanent Vice President of the Provincial Cooperative Union, the Lunar New Year is the biggest shopping season of the year for consumers, providing an opportunity for cooperatives to expand production, increase revenue, and promote products and spread their brands. Based on understanding customer preferences, cooperatives focus on improving product quality, changing designs, proactively promoting trade, expanding market share, and diversifying approaches to markets and customer segments. This is also a favorable opportunity for cooperatives to capitalize on market demand and maximize the prestige of their OCOP products for long-term, sustainable development.

A new spring has arrived. The colors of spring fill every street and every village, as people eagerly prepare for Tet (Lunar New Year) and celebrate the spring season. Cooperative products are successively "shipped" to consumers amidst joyful laughter, carrying the hopes for a prosperous, reunion-filled, and happy Tet. For cooperative products to go even further, especially in the context of many difficulties, not only is passion and creativity needed, but also support in terms of capital, branding, and production linkages... This will be the "foundation" that will help cooperatives continue to develop in the future.

Thanh Nga

Source: https://baophutho.vn/cac-hop-tac-xa-hoi-ha-vao-xuan-227100.htm