Yen Thuy green tea buds assert their position in the market.

Amidst the growing trend of seeking clean and traceable agricultural products, Yen Thuy green tea has emerged as a promising brand in the province. Through a well-planned investment strategy, the application of technology in processing, and the standardization of production processes, Hoa Binh 2-9 One-Member Limited Liability Company has elevated the local product to the OCOP 4-star category, expanding its market and increasing economic value for its workers.

The journey to becoming a 4-star OCOP brand.

In the early morning in Yen Thuy commune, the hills are lightly covered in mist, layers of green tea leaves sway in the wind, and in the distance, the Truong Son mountain range shimmers like a giant backdrop, creating a peaceful yet vibrant atmosphere. The mild climate and unique soil conditions have shaped this tea-growing region since the 1980s. In the memories of many, the flavor of Yen Thuy tea is a harmonious blend of the lush green tea hills, the mountain breeze, and traditional processing techniques preserved through generations.

The rich, slightly bitter and sweet flavor, along with the golden-green color when brewed, is the defining characteristic of Yen Thuy green bud tea. This is also the reason why Hoa Binh 2-9 One- Member Limited Liability Company has boldly invested in expanding production and improving techniques to elevate the local tea brand, aiming for a wider domestic and international market.

The company maintains a strict tea processing procedure to preserve the essence of the raw materials. Freshly harvested tea buds are stir-fried to reduce moisture, soften the tips, and aid in the subsequent enzyme deactivation process. The tea is then carefully rolled to bring the juice to the surface of the leaves, before being dried to achieve the required moisture level and create a distinctive aroma. Each step—stir-frying, rolling, drying, and shaping—is performed precisely, resulting in tightly curled tea leaves with a golden-green hue and a subtle, fragrant aroma when brewed.

To date, efforts to modernize production have yielded tangible results. In 2023, the company's products were certified as "Gold Products and Services for Consumers" at the National Prestigious Brand Development Forum. In January 2024, "Yen Thuy Green Bud Tea" achieved OCOP 4-star standard. Subsequently, in September 2024, the product was honored as one of the 20 outstanding rural industrial products at the provincial level.

Tea growing area of ​​Hoa Binh 2-9 One-Member Limited Liability Company.

Enhancing the value of green tea

Behind those fragrant tea packages lies a well-organized production system with significant investment. The company has built a processing facility worth billions of VND, equipped with modern production lines with an average capacity of 0.2 tons of product per hour, meeting large orders. The main raw materials are supplied from households that lease land in the region, with hundreds of hectares of tea plantations, creating jobs for 200 workers with an average income of nearly 80 million VND per person per year.

According to Ms. Dao Thi Thanh Thao, Deputy Director of 2-9 Hoa Binh One-Member Limited Company: To achieve OCOP 4-star standard, the product must go through 8 rigorous production steps: From hand-picking, enzyme inactivation by stir-frying at 300°C for 3-5 minutes, cooling, rolling for 1.5-2 hours, sieving at 250-300°C, drying to over 90% moisture content, flavoring by rolling at 220-350°C for 40 minutes, to packaging in 10g, 100g, 200g bags or 0.5-1kg vacuum-sealed boxes with a shelf life of 12 months. The result is a dried tea product with a dark green color, natural aroma, and a bright yellow brew.

Currently, the company is developing various segments, from savory teas with diverse designs, to expand its customer base. The elegantly designed packaging, with octagonal or square tea boxes, makes the product a luxurious gift, suitable for the gift market.

Currently, the product is available in many provinces such as Phu Tho, Hanoi , Thanh Hoa, Ninh Binh, Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City, etc., contributing to increasing brand awareness and competitiveness of domestic tea.

According to Ms. Thao, Yen Thuy green tea buds are identified as the company's flagship product. The goal in the future is to establish a concentrated production area and standardize the process to target the most demanding markets.

Expanding the market step by step.

Along with aiming to improve quality, the company is accelerating the expansion of its tea plantation area. It is expected that by 2025, it will complete the expansion of over 30 hectares of tea plantations with more than 100 participating households, achieving a processing capacity of hundreds of tons per year in Lac Luong, Lac Thuy, and Dai Dong communes. This is considered a strategic step to stabilize raw material supply and enhance product value.

By applying scientific and technical methods, increasing mechanization, and building a VietGAP model for 30 hectares of tea plantations, the enterprise has increased land use efficiency from 70 million VND to 200 million VND/ha, averaging 120 million VND/ha.

In addition to targeting the domestic market, the company is aiming to expand its sales overseas. Alongside this, trade promotion activities, participation in trade fairs, product exhibitions, and supply-demand networking are continuously implemented to access large distribution systems and expand brand awareness.

Besides production, the company focuses on management innovation, reducing indirect costs, optimizing labor, and investing in machinery to increase profits and lower prices. Product packaging and designs are upgraded to meet modern consumer tastes, while marketing is intensified through digital platforms such as Facebook and TikTok.

The development of Hoa Binh 2-9 One-Member Limited Company not only elevates the quality of Yen Thuy tea products but also makes a significant contribution to economic restructuring, creating jobs for approximately 200 local workers, increasing budget revenue, and promoting the province's high-tech agricultural sector.

With a well-structured strategy, OCOP 4-star certified products, and a market expansion orientation, Yen Thuy green tea is gradually becoming a source of pride for the people in the southern part of the province. On the journey to achieving success from agricultural products, these tea packages, imbued with the aroma of the mountains and the wind, are not only a local specialty but also a testament to the spirit of innovation, creativity, and determination to develop sustainable agricultural economics.

Hong Trung

Source: https://baophutho.vn/che-bup-xanh-yen-thuy-khang-dinh-vi-the-tren-thi-truong-244141.htm