Connecting consumption for Hung Yen’s OCOP and citrus products

On October 28th, the Agricultural Trade Promotion Center and the Agro Processing and Market Development Authority (MARD), in coordination with the Hung Yen Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, organized an online conference “Trade promotion for Hung Yen’s citrus products and OCOP products in 2021”.

Hung Yen’s area of fruit trees in 2021 is estimated at 15,000 ha, up 3.24% compared to 2020, accounting for 12.4% of the area of fruit trees in the Red River Delta. The province has more than 4,200 ha of citrus fruit trees in particular, with an estimated output of 65,000 tons.

Information until the end of September 2021 shows that Hung Yen has 65 citrus fruit production areas (oranges, tangerines, pomelos) with a total area of over 1,000 ha and an output of over 20,000 tons of VietGAP-certified fresh fruits.

Regarding the “One commune - One OCOP product” program, the whole province has had 70 products of 33 subjects appraised and recognized as of June 31st including 1 product of 5-star potential, 18 4-star products, and 51 3-star products. By the end of October 2021, Hung Yen has 69 more OCOP products recognized, bringing the total number of OCOP products in the province to 139.

According to Mr. Nguyen Quoc Toan, Director of the Agro Processing and Market Development Authority, in the context that agro-product production, consumption and export are facing many difficulties, Hung Yen's quick initiative in planning a connection and consumption plan is essential.

If Hung Yen has determined to focus on consuming products in the domestic market, the province should not limit the scope of its market.

In addition to the traditional markets such as Hanoi and neighboring provinces, the southern provinces are currently recovering in all aspects. Hung Yen should research towards bringing agricultural products to consume in these markets. Ho Chi Minh City in particular is considered full of potential.

Ms. Vu Thi Hau, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Retailers Association, said that in order for Hung Yen’s citrus products to hold a fluent consumption flow, the suppliers must first ensure product quality and food safety.

“In the context of the erratic fluctuations in the consumer market due to the impact of Covid-19, cooperatives and production households need to be flexible. Increasing sales through e-commerce platforms apart from traditional consumption channels will result in higher efficiency.

“Cooperatives and production households in Hung Yen province also need to regularly upgrade their own products in terms of quality, design and packaging with the intention in mind to not only serve domestic consumption but also exportation,” said Ms. Vu Thi Hau.

Mr. Bui Huy Hoang, Deputy Director of the Center for Information and Digital Technology (E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency - MoIT) shared, “The impact of the Covid-19 epidemic has changed people’s consumption habit as well as enterprises’ business and distribution forms in the direction of promoting faster and stronger digital transformation.”

The E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency has connected with e-commerce platforms such as Voso, Sendo and many more to relay policies that support farmers in general and in the coming time farmers in Hung Yen province step by step approach and master new sales technology.

The signing ceremony for the memorandum of understanding and cooperation between agricultural products - OCOP products production enterprises and cooperatives in Hung Yen province and supermarket chains and retail stores in Hanoi took place at the conference. The memorandum mentions the cooperation between Hung Yen province and units under the MoIT and the MARD in terms of product consumption.