Cooperatives are busy producing during Spring

As the new Spring season arrives, the members of Cooperatives are busy producing large quantities of goods, ensuring quality, to serve the consumption needs during the Lunar New Year.

These days, the production atmosphere at Thanh Son sour meat cooperative - Phu Tho, Thanh Son town, Thanh Son district, has become busier. In particular, products like traditional sour meat, garlic-chili sour meat, ginger sour meat, noodle sour meat, and bamboo tube sour meat... are produced in larger quantities, especially the bamboo tube sour meat and plastic box sour meat, which have achieved the OCOP 4-star standard. During this period, the cooperative receives additional orders from agents, agricultural product stores, and convenience stores in more than 20 provinces and cities nationwide...

Every November of the lunar calendar is the peak production period for the cooperative. Mrs. Ha Thi Ngoc Diep, Director of the cooperative, shared: “During this time, the cooperative must mobilize nearly 20 workers to increase production to meet the market demand. At the end of the year, the cooperative aims to produce around 300kg of sour meat per day to fulfill large orders before the 15th of the 12th lunar month.” In addition to ensuring quality, for OCOP-certified sour meat products, the cooperative focuses on investing in packaging and design to suit modern tastes and reflect the cultural heritage of the Land of the Ancestors, making it an ideal choice for consumers as New Year gifts.

Like Thanh Son Sour Meat HTX - Phu Tho, from the beginning of October, My Lung Sticky Rice Chicken Gai My Lung Production and General Business Cooperative in My Lung commune, Yen Lap district, started receiving Tet orders. To date, the cooperative has delivered about 60% of the OCOP-certified Gai Gai sticky rice to the market in and outside the province according to orders. Mr. Khuat Ngoc Tung, Director of the cooperative, shared: “By promoting production during Tet, the cooperative has created jobs for many local workers, providing opportunities for members to earn extra income to cover Tet expenses. To achieve this success, the cooperative actively participated in trade promotion programs and events organized by the province, and was supported by agencies to connect with consumers, thus in 2024, the number of customers increased and the distribution channels expanded significantly.”

Currently, the province has hundreds of OCOP products with ratings ranging from 3 to 5 stars, focusing on agricultural products, processed food, beverages, and handicrafts. During Tet, products from cooperatives are highly appreciated for their good market consumption, and consumers prefer them. Agricultural products include Doan Hung grapefruit, Thanh Son sour meat, Hung Lo rice noodles, Gai Gai sticky rice, Phu Thinh green tea, Da Hen green tea, Long Coc tea, Cam My tea, Dat To rice cakes; as well as meat, vegetables, and fruits. In addition to familiar specialty products, the Tet market also welcomes many new quality products from cooperatives, such as: Papaya flower tea - purple black ginseng, perilla leaf tea, celery tea... sticky rice, wine, salted chicken products...

In fact, the “bridge” of OCOP is contributing to expanding the Tet consumption market. Cooperatives strictly follow standards from quality to packaging to ensure their products gain a solid foothold in both domestic and international markets. By the end of the year, cooperatives with OCOP products have proactively increased production and diversified products. Some units have collaborated with supermarkets and shopping centers in the province to open OCOP product booths, making it easier for consumers to select products and increase revenue during Tet.

Currently, there are 624 cooperatives operating in the province with more than 108,400 members. From the strategy of diversifying products and agricultural goods based on market demands, many cooperatives have played a good role in promoting the formation of cooperative models producing according to value chains linked to local key products. To date, the province has 127 products from nearly 80 cooperatives that have been rated and classified according to OCOP standards of 3 stars or higher. OCOP products from cooperatives are increasingly asserting their position in the market, with the value of goods from OCOP products increasing by 15-20%, opening up prospects for sustainable development for cooperatives and the local economy.

OCOP products from cooperatives have been designed with packaging and labels by the districts, towns, and investors to attract consumers; they provide all necessary product information, QR codes, barcodes... ensuring compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations. In addition to traditional consumption channels, aligning with the digital transformation trend, cooperatives have started applying technology to open new consumption channels through websites, social media... With the role of a “bridge,” to support and accompany cooperatives in trade promotion and connecting products for Tet, the provincial Cooperative Alliance has participated in organizing displays, promotions, and introductions of cooperative products at events, fairs, and public media, social networks to bring the province’s agricultural products to a wide range of consumers.

Thanh Nga