Enhancing the competitiveness of OCOP products from local factors

Leaders of the Provincial Rural Development Program Coordination Office inspected the development of raw material areas linked to the processing of OCOP products, specifically cassava vermicelli, in Ngoc Lien commune (Ngoc Lac district) at the end of 2024.

According to Mr. Bui Cong Anh, Deputy Chief of the Provincial Rural Development Program Coordination Office: “ Thanh Hoa province has a large area and a large population, with diverse terrain including plains, coastal areas, and midland and mountainous regions, thus possessing the potential to develop a variety of OCOP products. The plains have the potential to develop OCOP products from fresh fruits and vegetables such as: yellow melons, cantaloupes, watermelons; processed products such as: fermented pork rolls, grilled pork rolls; herbal teas, centella asiatica; various types of rice, rice vermicelli, rice cakes... The coastal region has great potential to develop OCOP products from seafood such as shrimp, fish, squid, dried anchovies, shrimp paste, fish sauce, crab paste, ground crab. The midland and mountainous regions have the potential to develop OCOP products such as: dried bamboo shoots, tube-shaped pork rolls, smoked buffalo meat, rice wine, honey, vermicelli, upland sticky rice, handicrafts made from bamboo, rattan, and herbal products. That is "These are local resources, an advantage that helps products increase their competitiveness in the market."

Currently, hundreds of OCOP products are leveraging the advantages of local raw materials, linked to geographical indications and collective trademarks, such as: Nga Son sedge, Luan Van pomelo, Xuan Lap rice cake; Tu Tru sticky rice cake (Tho Xuan); Ba Lang fish sauce (Nghi Son town); Van Du orange (Thach Thanh); Phu Quang sticky rice cake (Vinh Loc); Lang Ai soy sauce (Yen Dinh)... From there, the producers and localities have maintained and sustainably developed local, distinctive regional products. At the same time, through OCOP products linked to geographical indications and collective trademarks, they promote and introduce the culture and cuisine of Thanh Hoa to a wide range of domestic and international consumers.

The availability of native crops is a major advantage for developing and improving the quality of OCOP products. For Thang Long commune, as well as the entire Nong Cong district, rice is a key advantage. The production of rice vermicelli in Thang Long commune is developing rapidly, and this OCOP product is now available in supply chains to dozens of provinces and cities nationwide. The cassava vermicelli from Cam Lien commune (Cam Thuy district) has also expanded its market thanks to the continuously growing cassava growing area on the fertile hills. The vast coastal area also provides raw materials for the production of dozens of OCOP products, including fish sauce, shrimp paste, and various seafood products in Nghi Son town. As a result, many products such as Tuyen Hoa fish sauce, Tac Huy fish sauce and shrimp paste, etc., have gained the trust of many domestic customers.

Thanks to the successful development of sustainable raw material areas, many OCOP products are produced on a large scale and continuously, establishing linkages in production such as: Tien Son Ha Linh glutinous rice, bamboo and rattan products of BambooVina Production and Trading Co., Ltd. - Ha Trung district...

Not only competing domestically, many OCOP products from Thanh Hoa province have reached foreign markets. Seafood products such as shrimp paste, fish sauce, dried anchovies, squid patties, sea fish, and dried clams have been exported to the United States, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, South Africa, China, the Middle East, and European countries. Handicrafts such as sedge products have been exported to the US, China, Europe, and the Middle East; products made from bamboo and wood have been exported to European and American markets. Agricultural products such as pineapples, sweet corn, cucumbers, and potatoes have been exported to France, Belgium, Canada, Russia, South Korea, and Australia.

To help OCOP products leverage their local advantages to develop markets, for many years, the Provincial Rural Development Program Coordination Office, along with various departments and agencies, has advised on and organized numerous promotional campaigns to introduce OCOP products at supermarkets and in dozens of provinces and cities nationwide. “In 2024 alone, the unit and related sectors successfully organized the 2024 Exhibition and Promotion Market for OCOP products and Thanh Hoa cuisine; the 2024 Supply and Demand Connection Fair for the display and introduction of OCOP products and safe agricultural and food products; organized a livestream session introducing Thanh Hoa OCOP products; compiled and published a catalog and a newsletter on production, market, and consumption of OCOP products to promote the province's OCOP products; and disseminated information on the OCOP website and fanpage, reaching over 700,000 viewers inside and outside the province,” Mr. Bui Cong Anh informed. Furthermore, promoting the application of information technology and digital transformation in OCOP product communication is also a focus, through organizing training courses, workshops, and supporting video creation and brand building to help OCOP entities promote their products on digital platforms and social media.

The Provincial Office for Coordinating the New Rural Development Program also encourages and supports businesses by providing advice on product idea development; understanding the scoring criteria, implementation methods, and operation of the OCOP Program; building business plans; and assisting with packaging design. At the same time, it guides them in developing product narratives that connect with cultural elements, local resources, and regional characteristics... to create appeal and enhance product competitiveness in the market.

Source: baothanhhoa.vn/nang-suc-canh-tranh-san-pham-nbsp-ocop-tu-yeu-to-ban-dia-239089.htm