Exporting OCOP products:

Overview of the seminar. Photo: Nghiem Lan

This was the key point emphasized at the seminar "Increasing Exports of OCOP Products" organized by the Industry and Trade Magazine on December 24th.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ba Hai, Deputy Director of the Center for Trade and Investment Promotion Support (Trade Promotion Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade ), most OCOP products are of good quality, associated with family traditions, craft villages, and local characteristics, thereby building long-term trust with consumers.

The diverse and rich OCOP ecosystem clearly reflects the cultural, historical, and human values of Vietnam, becoming an important "soft material" for promoting the national image through domestic and international fairs and exhibitions. In fact, many international partners are interested in and approach OCOP products because of the cultural depth and the story behind each product.

Speakers participating in the panel discussion. Photo: Nghiem Lan

However, speakers also pointed out that the market mindset of many OCOP producers is still based on "selling whatever they have," not stemming from market needs and standards. Small-scale production and a lack of supply chain linkages make it difficult for products to access large markets, especially for export.

Furthermore, the quality of OCOP products is inconsistent; packaging, labeling, and product storytelling – especially in foreign languages – are limited, while intellectual property protection has not received adequate attention.

From a business perspective, Mr. Le Anh, Director of Le Gia Food & Trade Service Co., Ltd., believes that bringing OCOP products to the international market is a long-term investment process requiring perseverance and thorough preparation. According to him, the prerequisite for exporting is that businesses must be willing to invest in infrastructure and meet the stringent technical standards of the market, even if the initial costs are high and orders are often delayed.

Furthermore, establishing a strong foothold in the domestic market is considered a crucial "foundation" for exports, as many international partners often research and evaluate products through distribution systems or regulatory agencies in Vietnam. Mr. Le Anh also emphasized the key role of trade promotion, from participating in international trade fairs to exploiting on-site export opportunities linked to experiential tourism .

Experts believe that despite initial achievements, the journey to bring Vietnamese OCOP products to the world still faces many challenges. This requires a change in approach, promoting OCOP exports in a more standardized, innovative, and sustainable direction, in order to fully exploit the program's potential in the coming period.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/xuat-khau-ocop-can-nen-tang-chuan-hoa-va-chien-luoc-dai-han-728017.html