OCOP products of Thanh Hoa reach oversea markets

The implementation of One Commune One Products (OCOP) in the northern province of Thanh Hoa has obtained positive results, heard participants at a meeting held on Thursday to review the implementation of one commune one product programme in the Province in 2018-2020 period.

OCOP products have seen improvements in terms of quality, design, packaging and traceability.

As many as 69 products from 18 district-level level localities in the province were recognised as meeting OCOP standards. Of these, 17 were given four stars, including two proposed to be named five stars.

Many OCOP products of Thanh Hoa are exported to foreign countries such as Russia, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, Japan and China.

Le Gia Shrimp paste from Hoang Hoa District’s Hoang Phu Commune has been exported to Russia, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan (China) and South Africa. Bamboo straws have been transported to Switzerland, Sweden, and the United State. Handicrafts and other products made from sedge are exported directly and sold in 64 supermarkets in the United States.

A preliminary survey conducted on enterprises engaged in the programme showed that their turnover growth on average more than 15 per cent after their products recognised as OCOP goods.

Le Duc Giang, vice chairman of Thanh Hoa Province’s People’s Committee said as soon as the OCOP programme was initiated by the Government, the provincial authority has approved the project for 2018-2020 period with a vision toward 2030.

The program aims to diversify and increase the competitiveness of local products and encourage the participation of local businesses.

The programme helped raise awareness for the producers who would pay attention not only to improve the quality of the products but also to the sale service, he said, adding that this would have a big impact on the existence of the product.

To stimulate the production and consumption of OCOP products, Thanh Hoa Province has established six sites for showcasing and selling OCOP products. Via these sites, outstanding rural products from the province will have access to more consumers, providing a basis for cooperatives, businesses, producers and farmers to continue improving goods’ quality and design to meet customers’ increasing demand.

Over the past three years, Thanh Hoa has poured over VND114 billion (US$4.9) to support the implementation of the OCOP programme. Of these, more than VND18.2 billion ($788,000) came from the Central Budget, VND36 billion (1.5 million) from the local budget and the rest from producers.

In the 2021-2025 period, Thanh Hoa is striving to have at least three OCOP products rated at five stars, more than 100 rated three and four stars and five models of community tourism and tourist spots, he said.