Ba Che prospers through cinnamon cultivation

Shifting from acacia to cinnamon cultivation

With one of the largest forested areas in Quang Ninh Province, Ba Che Commune has long identified forestry as a key pillar of its economy. In recent years, however, rather than focusing solely on short-rotation timber plantations, the commune has adopted a new strategy centered on increasing the value of its forest resources. Cinnamon has been identified as the flagship crop in this transition.

The shift from acacia to cinnamon represents more than a change in cropping patterns; it reflects a fundamental transformation in production thinking. Whereas farmers once prioritized the quick financial returns offered by acacia, many are now investing in crops with longer growing cycles that deliver greater economic value and more sustainable long-term benefits.

Ba Che's climate and soil conditions are well-suited to cinnamon cultivation, allowing the crop to thrive on the commune's hilly terrain. In addition to its valuable bark, the wood, branches, and leaves are also used as raw materials for essential oil extraction and other high-value products. As a result, the economic returns generated from each hectare of land have increased significantly.

One of the pioneers of this transition is Trieu Quy Trinh, Party Cell Secretary and Head of Nam Kim Village. In 2018, he made the bold decision to convert his family's forestland from acacia to cinnamon cultivation. At the time, many people were skeptical because cinnamon takes several years to harvest. However, the results have proven the investment worthwhile.

According to Trinh, one hectare of acacia typically generates around VND 120 million over a single harvest cycle, whereas cinnamon can generate approximately VND 400 million per hectare from its seventh year onward. Moreover, nearly every part of the cinnamon tree can be sold to processing companies, including the bark, timber, branches, and leaves.

Ba Che Commune currently has approximately 1,000 hectares of cinnamon plantations, producing an average of nearly 50 metric tons of fresh cinnamon bark each year. In 2026, the commune aims to establish 1,200 hectares of new forest plantations, including 200 hectares of cinnamon, further increasing the crop's share in its plantation forestry sector.

Alongside expanding its cinnamon-growing area, Ba Che has accelerated the development of large-timber forests, native-species forests, and sustainably managed forests. These efforts are regarded as the foundation for increasing the value of forest products while meeting the traceability and sustainability standards required by international export markets.

Ba Che cinnamon reaches global markets

While the shift in crop selection laid the groundwork for development, the establishment of a processing enterprise has marked a major turning point for Ba Che's forestry economy. In late 2025, the cinnamon processing plant of Ba Che Cinnamon One Member Limited Liability Company, located in Nam Kim Village, officially began operations with a first-phase investment of approximately VND 40 billion.

The facility has an annual processing capacity of more than 100 metric tons of cinnamon essential oil, 240 metric tons of bio-based products, and approximately 3,000 metric tons of dried cinnamon bark.

Under its long-term strategy, the company aims to develop approximately 8,000 hectares of cinnamon plantations. It is encouraging growers to adopt organic production practices, establish registered growing area codes, and obtain sustainable forest management certification to meet the requirements of international export markets.

An important milestone was reached in March 2026 when Ba Che Cinnamon One Member Limited Liability Company successfully exported its first shipment of 160 metric tons of cinnamon essential oil to the United States, valued at more than USD 500,000. The shipment marked a significant achievement, demonstrating that Ba Che's processed cinnamon products meet the stringent standards of one of the world's most demanding markets.

To support this transformation, local authorities have developed a phased forestry development strategy that integrates afforestation targets with the expansion of cinnamon cultivation. Annual forest-planting targets are assigned to each village, with specific cinnamon-planting quotas to enable local communities to implement plans proactively and ensure timely execution and high-quality outcomes.

According to Nguyen Thi Thuy Mai, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the Ba Che Commune People's Committee, the expansion of cinnamon plantations has not relied solely on encouraging local farmers. Instead, it has been implemented through an integrated approach that combines forestry development planning, annual afforestation programs, and close coordination among local authorities, businesses, and farming communities.

In addition to public outreach efforts, the commune has worked with enterprises and technical agencies to provide cultivation support, facilitate market linkages, and gradually establish concentrated raw material zones to supply the local processing industry.

Ba Che's long-term strategy is to develop its forestry sector through an integrated value chain in which local farmers serve as the backbone of the raw material supply, while businesses focus on processing and market expansion. This approach not only ensures stable market outlets for growers but also increases the value added of forestry products, reducing reliance on the sale of unprocessed raw materials.

$ 1 = VND 26,470 - Source: Vietcombank.