Enhancing Phu Tho tea products

Taking advantage of natural conditions, production factors, product quality, and cultural and traditional consumption, Phu Tho province has invested in the creation and development of the “Phu Tho Tea” certification mark in recent years. This has effectively helped clarify the origin of products, providing certificates that meet the needs of both domestic consumption and exports. It marks an important first step for tea-growing and processing enterprises and cooperatives (HTX) to develop their production and rise in the ongoing digital transformation revolution.

After receiving the “Phu Tho Tea” certification mark, tea products from enterprises in Thanh Ba district are increasingly popular in both domestic and international markets.

Efforts to develop the brand

Known as the land of “palm forests and tea hills,” tea has long been one of the key crops spearheading economic development in Phu Tho. Thanks to mechanisms and policies promoting development, the province now has a total tea-growing area of 14.8 thousand hectares, of which 14.5 thousand hectares are dedicated to tea production. The average yield of fresh tea buds is over 123 quintals per hectare, and the output of fresh tea buds reaches about 178.4 thousand tons per year.

Despite improvements in the area, productivity, and quality of Phu Tho tea, the value derived from tea has not yet matched its potential. Many tea growers still produce on a small scale, and the connection between production, processing, and consumption remains weak, often producing only semi-finished or raw products, leading to low selling prices. Meanwhile, international economic integration is deepening, and there are increasing demands for product quality, with clear origins and state-protected brands.

Therefore, to enhance the quality of Phu Tho tea products, the province has implemented various solutions, such as planning and developing production areas, promoting brands, and creating a corridor to protect intellectual property, especially the “Phu Tho Tea” certification mark. This ensures the development of products and brands like “Phu Tho Tea,” which are reputable both domestically and internationally.

To achieve the set goals, after receiving the “Phu Tho Tea” certification trademark from the Director of the Intellectual Property Office, the Department of Science and Technology worked with the Provincial People’s Committee to issue Plan No. 3232 on July 29, 2021, for "Developing the Phu Tho Tea Certification Mark for the Period 2021-2025.“The department has been actively coordinating with relevant agencies to promote the development of the”Phu Tho Tea" certification mark, with efforts focused on training, guidance, and publicizing the mark’s management and usage.

The province has built a system of documentation related to managing and using the certification mark, including processes for selecting, evaluating, and preserving varieties; product processing; packaging; preservation processes; and establishing Phu Tho tea standards for certification. Additionally, there are systems for product labels and packaging, promotional materials, and public awareness campaigns about the “Phu Tho Tea” certification mark.

The Department of Science and Technology has also implemented an Intellectual Property Development Program to support the creation, management, and development of the “Phu Tho Tea” certification mark for tea products, with a focus on applying science and technology to enhance value, ensure sustainable development, and promote OCOP tea products with the Phu Tho Tea certification mark.

High efficiency and sustainability

Taking advantage of natural conditions and improving product quality by developing high-quality tea varieties, the Cam My Tea Cooperative in Tat Thang Commune, Thanh Son District, was granted the “Phu Tho Tea” certification label in 2022. To achieve this, the cooperative shifted its production methods by eliminating chemical fertilizers and pesticides and adding organic nutrients to the soil.

Members are taught to compost manure, use organic fertilizers, and maintain detailed records. The cooperative has invested in a sprinkler irrigation system to conserve water and intercropped tea hills with large-canopy trees to protect the tea plants. Additionally, they have built a modern factory, implemented traceability stamps, and fully inspected quality every year.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Cam My, Deputy Director of the cooperative, explained that the “Phu Tho Tea” certification label motivates them to improve production conditions and ensure the quality of their tea products, which are now more widely appreciated by consumers.

Currently, the cooperative has two products meeting the 4-star OCOP standard: Kim Tuyen fragrant green tea and Cam My green tea with a unique twist. These products are sold in Coopmart supermarkets and OCOP product chains, generating over VND 3 billion in revenue in 2024. The cooperative provides stable income to local tea growers, with an output of about 350 tons per year.

In Cam Khe District, the Da Hen Tea Production and Processing Cooperative has also registered and received the “Phu Tho Tea” certification mark. This cooperative has expanded its growing area to over 20 hectares and applied digital transformation to ensure product quality. Da Hen tea is known for its traceable origin and food safety, which has improved its competitiveness. The cooperative exports about 300 tons of tea annually and sells over 2,000 premium Da Hen tea products each month.

After five years of developing the “Phu Tho Tea” certification mark, the province has seen expanded production, improved market competitiveness, and increased value and reputation of its tea products. This has led to higher incomes for local farmers and greater recognition for the Phu Tho Tea brand.

Currently, Phu Tho has 70 concentrated tea production areas with 5.8 thousand hectares, 60 processing facilities with a capacity of over one ton of fresh tea buds per day, 24 enterprises applying ISO and HACCP quality management systems, 15 cooperatives, 18 craft villages, and 785 manual tea-processing households. The province produces about 48,000 tons of tea per year, with 70% of black tea being exported to markets such as India, China, and Russia.

However, there are still challenges in brand building, with some tea producers not yet taking steps to protect their tea products. There is also a lack of proactive trade promotion and limited skills in managing information on e-commerce platforms.

Conclusion

Khong Danh Dat, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, emphasized that in order for the “Phu Tho Tea” trademark to protect against counterfeits and low-quality goods, stakeholders need to think strategically and work together to develop and protect the certification mark. Enterprises, cooperatives, and individuals must focus on trademark registration, protection, and coordination with authorities to detect and prevent infringements. Only then can Phu Tho’s tea products expand their presence both in the domestic market and for export in the era of international economic integration.

Anh Duong