OCOP and the long-term development challenge.

QTO - Achieving OCOP certification is considered one of the important "turning points," opening up great opportunities for products to assert their position in the market. However, to maintain this certification, many businesses struggle with the "problem" of how to balance improving product quality and design while maintaining stable prices to retain customers.

Báo Quảng Trị•19/05/2026

Pressure on investment value increases.

After years of dedicated effort, in 2023, the rice vermicelli product of Tu Bich Rice Vermicelli Cooperative in Quy Hau village, Le Thuy commune, achieved OCOP 3-star certification. To obtain OCOP certification, the cooperative focused on improving product quality and investing in packaging and branding. With clear packaging and branding, and especially with OCOP 3-star certification, the product has gained the trust of many customers. However, achieving OCOP 3-star recognition also presents a challenge for the cooperative, as it faces the pressure of profitability and improving product quality and design.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich, Director of the Cooperative, said: "Previously, before being recognized as an OCOP product, products sold on the market were tied with string or packaged in simple containers without any information. Since being developed and recognized as a 3-star OCOP product, products sold on the market now have clear packaging and labels. This also means that the cost of investing in packaging, printing, etc., has increased. In a fiercely competitive market, if the price increases, it will be difficult to compete with other products on the market. Therefore, the Cooperative has kept the price the same as before to retain customers."

Many OCOP products face the pressure of balancing improved quality and design with reduced costs - Photo: D.N

The challenges faced by the Tu Bich Rice Vermicelli Cooperative are also the challenges faced by many businesses after their products receive OCOP certification. The "problem" of balancing input and output to ensure profitability is a major pressure for many businesses.

Mr. Le Van Huong, owner of Huong Luu rice porridge powder production facility in Hoan Lao commune, shared: “Rice porridge powder is a long-standing traditional product of our family. The product sold on the market is packaged in simple plastic bags. To be recognized as a 3-star OCOP product, the facility has invested in improving the quality, design, and branding of the product. However, the cost of packaging and printing is relatively high. Therefore, when the rice porridge powder is packaged according to OCOP standards, if the selling price is not increased, the facility will find it difficult to make a profit.”

We need a smart strategy.

Receiving OCOP certification for each product is not just an honor but also a leverage to help scale up, professionalize production, and connect with markets better. Faced with the challenge of balancing profits, many businesses have developed their own strategies.

Sharing about the business's approach after receiving OCOP certification, Mr. Le Van Huong, owner of Huong Luu porridge powder facility, said: "Because customer needs vary, while product quality remains the same, the facility continues to package products in the traditional style for regular customers, and the price remains unchanged. For batches sold to more demanding customers, the facility will package products according to the OCOP certification design, and the price will be slightly higher."

According to Mr. Huong, the cost of packaging and printing is currently relatively high. If orders for packaging and labels are placed monthly, the costs will increase significantly. Therefore, the business has chosen to place large orders throughout the year to receive preferential pricing, thereby saving on some costs. This is also the approach and direction taken by many businesses after their products are recognized under the OCOP program.

According to Nguyen Quoc Tuan, Deputy Head of the Department of Cooperative Economics and Quality Management: Many traditional products, after being recognized under the OCOP program, face the pressure of balancing quality and design with maintaining reasonable prices while still generating profit. To address this issue, businesses need to identify their target customer segments and develop appropriate sales strategies.

In fact, OCOP certification is one of the advantages that helps products gain customer trust, thereby expanding the market and increasing product value. Many customers are willing to pay extra for products with clear origins, attractive designs, and high quality. Therefore, OCOP products need to constantly improve their designs and quality to build trust, establish their brand with customers, and thus increase product value and price.

D. Nguyet

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te/202605/ocop-va-bai-toan-phat-trien-dai-han-f4c28fb/