Pioneer in bringing agricultural products to e-commerce platforms

In the context of e-commerce increasingly dominating the retail sector, many cooperatives in Thai Nguyen province have affirmed their pioneering role in bringing agricultural products to e-commerce platforms, contributing to expanding the market and connecting directly with consumers.

Members of Ban Viet Production and Trade Service Cooperative livestream to sell products on social networks.

Since 2016, Viet Cuong Vermicelli Cooperative, Hoa Thuong Town (Dong Hy), has started to bring some of its products to e-commerce platforms. However, at that time, consumption through this channel was still very limited. It was not until the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020, realizing the great potential of online sales, that the Cooperative seriously invested in the e-commerce channel.

Up to now, this has become one of the effective distribution channels, contributing significantly to the expansion of the unit's market. Mr. Nguyen Van Ba, Director of Viet Cuong Vermicelli Cooperative, said: Most of the cooperative's products are available on many e-commerce platforms such as TikTok, Shopee, Sendo... On average, each year, the cooperative supplies the market with 400-500 tons of products, of which about 10% are consumed through e-commerce.

Similarly, Son Dung Tea Cooperative, Quang Trung Ward ( Thai Nguyen City), is also one of the pioneers in applying e-commerce platforms to consume and promote products.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhu Trang, Director of the Cooperative, said: Instead of approaching customers in traditional ways such as going to sell directly or opening showrooms, we have proactively used social networks and e-commerce platforms to introduce products to consumers in and outside the province. Thanks to the effective exploitation of online sales channels, the Cooperative's products are increasingly known to many people. In particular, after experiencing shopping through e-commerce platforms, customers have proactively contacted to place orders in the traditional way, with the number increasing many times compared to the beginning.

Agricultural products of Thai Nguyen province on Lazada Vietnam e-commerce platform.

Along with Viet Cuong Vermicelli Cooperative and Son Dung Tea Cooperative, the province has hundreds of cooperatives with thousands of products that have been put on e-commerce platforms over the years. Notable among them are Shopee and TikTok.

In particular, the Ban Viet Production and Trade Service Cooperative has just launched the “Ban Viet - Thai Nguyen Booth” on the Shopee e-commerce platform. Ms. Bui Thi Hai Yen, Director of the Cooperative, said: The booth is a place to gather typical agricultural products of Thai Nguyen province, focusing on promoting and introducing OCOP certified products - typical local products.

To achieve this result, we cannot fail to mention the active support of the Provincial People's Committee and functional sectors such as: Department of Industry and Trade, Provincial Cooperative Union and telecommunications units in the area.

Ms. Vu Thi Thu Huong, Vice President of the Provincial Cooperative Union, shared: Bringing agricultural products to e-commerce platforms contributes to creating new distribution channels and expanding the market for agricultural products in the province. Therefore, we have actively coordinated with functional agencies to promote propaganda and training for cooperatives on sales skills in cyberspace; provide guidance on how to put products on e-commerce platforms; and coordinate to sign cooperation agreements to bring the province's agricultural products to digital platforms.

Implementing the "Trade promotion program, connecting the consumption of Thai Nguyen products on the e-commerce platform in 2025", the province sets the target: 100% of participating units are trained on e-commerce related contents; 50% of units have the capacity to build and operate their own online booths; 100% of units are consulted and supported in registering trademarks, logos, geographical indications, protecting intellectual property rights and tracing product origin.

There are currently 784 cooperatives in Thai Nguyen province, including 541 agricultural cooperatives, 240 non-agricultural cooperatives and 3 people's credit funds. The whole province has 273 products ranked OCOP from 3 to 5 stars (including 182 3-star products, 89 4-star products and 2 5-star products). Of which, 229 products are owned by cooperatives, accounting for 84%. This affirms the important role of cooperatives in developing typical products and enhancing the value of local agricultural products.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202505/tien-phong-dua-nong-san-len-san-thuong-mai-dien-tu-2a51e77/