Gia Lai: Expanding OCOP value chain, aiming at export market

In recent years, the “One Commune One Product” (OCOP) program in Gia Lai has made a clear shift from small-scale, fragmented production to sustainable value chain development. Not only stopping at creating local agricultural products, many OCOP entities in the province have been gradually bringing their products to the international market, thanks to thorough investment in raw material areas, processing technology, marketing strategies and modern standardization.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha visit products of Nam Yang Agricultural and Service Cooperative. **Photo: DVCC**

Reaching out to the "big sea"

Standing out in the eastern part of the province is IPP Sachi Joint Stock Company (Bong Son ward), one of the pioneering enterprises bringing OCOP products to the world . With the spirit of proactively seeking markets, this enterprise has officially exported many specialty products, such as: rice paper snacks of all kinds, coconut rice paper, sesame rice paper, seaweed rice paper... to the US and demanding markets such as Canada, Korea, Taiwan.

According to Mr. Nguyen Huu Vinh, Director of the Company, the Company currently has 13 products recognized as 4-star OCOP. Of these, 8 products have been officially exported, mainly to the US, with a recent output of 2 containers (20 feet), equivalent to 1,600 product boxes (each box weighs 7-10kg).

Many specialty products such as rice paper snacks of all kinds, coconut rice paper, sesame rice paper, seaweed rice paper... of IPP Sachi Joint Stock Company are exported to the US. **Photo: AN**

To meet the strict requirements of the international market, the company has strictly complied with production standards, quality certification, and traceability. At the same time, IPP Sachi has also cooperated with Tam Quan Agricultural Cooperative and many other cooperatives and farmers to build stable raw material areas, cultivating according to VietGAP and organic standards. The main raw materials include Mai Lam rice, sesame, peanuts, coconuts, etc. Wheat flour is imported from the West, which provides qualified raw materials. Not stopping there, the company also applies digital technology in traceability (QR code, barcode), distributing products through e-commerce platforms (Shopee Mall, TikTok Shop, Lazada Mall), and is present in many large retail systems such as Co.opmart, Vinmart, etc.

"In the near future, IPP Sachi plans to develop new product lines such as mixed vegetable rice paper, mixed vegetable and fruit rice paper, dipped rice paper rolls, black sesame rice paper, crispy rice paper... to serve export needs," said Mr. Vinh.

Create a unique product line

In the Western region, Nam Yang Agricultural and Service Cooperative (Kon Gang commune) is a bright spot in building and developing OCOP products in the organic direction. The unit owns 5/7 OCOP products that have achieved 5-star rating in the province, including: Dak Yang Coffee; Fine Robusta Coffee; Le Chi Organic Black Pepper; Le Chi Organic Red Pepper; Le Chi Organic White Pepper.

In particular, Dak Yang coffee products have been officially exported to China with nearly 5 tons, Fine Robusta line is processed by Honey method (keeping the natural sugar layer on the beans), dried for 10-15 days to help preserve the sweet aftertaste, the smell of ripe fruit and the light bitterness, characteristic of specialty coffee.

120 hectares of coffee of Nam Yang Agricultural and Service Cooperative are grown organically. Photo: AN

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga, Deputy Director of the Cooperative, the entire production process complies with organic standards and the standards of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). The unit currently has 120 hectares of coffee and 80 hectares of pepper grown entirely organically, of which more than 30 hectares have been certified organic by the US and Europe. The entire coffee production process from harvesting to roasting and grinding complies with international standards of the SCA, using hot air technology to preserve the flavor and structure of the beans. In addition to coffee, some organic pepper products of the Cooperative have also been exported to Taiwan in the form of informal trade, opening up great opportunities for the province's organic pepper industry.

Dak Yang coffee products have been officially exported to China with nearly 5 tons, Fine Robusta processed using the honey method. **Photo: AN**

Ms. Nga shared that, in order for the product to conquer the international market, besides the quality factor, the key is to invest synchronously in modern processing lines, perfect eye-catching packaging, transparency in electronic traceability and methodical brand building. It is the professionalism in each stage that has helped the product build trust, and at the same time attract the attention of many domestic and foreign partners.

Towards professionalism, modernity and internationalization

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi The Vy, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Gia Lai province, the province's OCOP program has recorded many positive results, with nearly 1,000 products recognized as having achieved stars, including 7 products meeting national 5-star standards. However, the goal does not stop at quantity. The province's upcoming orientation is to focus on product standardization, promoting brand building, developing stable raw material areas and applying digital technology to increase the competitiveness of OCOP products. The province will also actively support entities to access modern distribution systems, expand domestic and international sales channels, and at the same time aim to conquer demanding markets such as Japan, Korea, the US and Europe. In particular, priority is given to high-quality products with export potential, such as: Dalop rice paper; Phuong Nguyen rice paper; Ngoc An pure coconut oil; peanut oil, black sesame, Dulah Sophora japonica tea...

To achieve that, enterprises and cooperatives need to proactively build a closed production chain, invest in upgrading production lines, apply international standards such as ISO, HACCP, GlobalGAP, and focus on packaging design, labels, marketing strategies and professional communication. Applying electronic traceability, participating in e-commerce and promoting on digital platforms will be important solutions for Gia Lai OCOP products to reach further, not only creating economic value but also contributing to spreading the identity of highland specialties to international friends.

Packaging, labeling, marketing and professional communication strategies are also important factors to help OCOP Program products reach foreign partners. **Photo: AN**

With a clear direction, the drastic participation of the government and the continuous efforts of OCOP entities, Gia Lai is gradually affirming its position in the ecosystem of high-quality agricultural products of Vietnam, ready to become a bright spot in the export of specialty agricultural products in the coming time.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/gia-lai-mo-rong-chuoi-gia-tri-ocop-huong-den-thi-truong-xuat-khau-post563756.html