Discovered fake chestnuts disguised as Ngan Son specialties

Chestnut products with 3-star OCOP certification at Ngan Son.

For a long time, Ngan Son chestnuts have been considered a specialty of the northern localities of Thai Nguyen province because of their rich, sweet, and fragrant taste. However, recently, the name “Ngan Son chestnuts” has been exploited, causing losses to both consumers and farmers.

In recent days, on social networking sites, many accounts have posted images of ethnic girls picking chestnuts, introducing and advertising Ngan Son chestnuts at prices ranging from only 50,000-80,000 VND/kg, significantly lower than the original Ngan Son chestnuts which usually range from 100,000-150,000 VND/kg. Sellers can supply chestnuts in large quantities while Ngan Son chestnuts are limited in quantity.

As soon as the local authorities received information about the appearance of fake chestnut products originating from Ngan Son commune, the locality quickly sent a document requesting the functional forces to verify and clarify.

Ms. Duong Thi Phuong Que, Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Ngan Son Commune, said: The commune government also increased propaganda to people and traders at the markets, advising not to purchase or consume products of unknown origin.

Labeling “Ngân Sơn chestnuts” on counterfeit products not only causes damage to consumers but also damages the reputation of local specialties. Currently entering the final stages of the harvest season, the actual chestnut output is very limited, mainly consumed for regular customers or as gifts, not enough to be sold widely as advertised online.

Ngan Son Media page warns of the appearance of fake Ngan Son chestnuts on the market.

According to households with large chestnut growing areas such as Mr. Nong Van Cuong's household with about 2 hectares of chestnut trees, or Ms. Ban Thi Ngan, Director of Hop Phat Cooperative (Ngan Son commune) who is cooperating with people to grow about 50 hectares, said: Real chestnuts are harvested seasonally, the quantity is not much, and preservation is also difficult. Yet people import chestnuts of unknown origin from other places and label them as Ngan Son chestnuts, sell them cheaply, damaging the reputation of Ngan Son chestnuts.

It is known that in neighboring localities in the northern region of Thai Nguyen province, nearly 100 hectares of chestnut trees have been planted, with a harvest area of about 50 hectares and the same brand name is Ngan Son chestnuts (because the communes previously merged were all under Ngan Son district, Bac Kan province). The above data on chestnut planting area shows that the annual output of Ngan Son chestnuts is not much. However, in the market, many people have appeared to impersonate and sell "Ngan Son chestnuts" at cheap prices and in large quantities, seriously affecting the reputation of the local specialty.

With delicious characteristics and high nutritional value, Ngan Son chestnuts have been recognized as 3-star OCOP products produced in the form of association. However, the registration of geographical indication protection for Ngan Son chestnuts has not been carried out.

Agricultural product brands can only exist sustainably when they are properly protected from growers to consumers. Stricter control over the trade and transportation of chestnuts from other places into the area, while supporting the locality in labeling and tracing the origin will be important steps to protect the Ngan Son chestnut brand, helping genuine products reach consumers, and chestnut growers can feel secure in developing production.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/thoi-su-thai-nguyen/202510/phat-hien-hat-de-gia-doi-lot-dac-san-ngan-son-a481fa1/