15,000 hectares of organic cinnamon reach the international market

Multiple benefits from organic cinnamon

In recent times, Van Yen district (Yen Bai province) has mobilized people to grow cinnamon in each concentrated area and produce cinnamon organically, and directed people to do green agriculture. This aims to build a brand for raw material areas and expand the consumption market.

Mr. Pham Hong Thang, Director of the Agricultural Development and Support Services Center in Van Yen District, said that the Center has directed the team of grassroots agricultural extension officers to coordinate with local authorities to well perform the work of disseminating, advocating, training, and transferring technical advances in cinnamon production from the stages of nursing seedlings, planting, caring for, harvesting, and processing products. Mobilize people to produce cinnamon in an organic and sustainable direction.

The Center has coordinated with some units and businesses, such as NEDSPICE Binh Duong Co., Ltd., the Forest Protection Research Centre under the Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, and the Yen Bai Agricultural Extension Center, to organize 12 training classes with nearly 1,000 people and train 235 household groups on sustainable cinnamon production techniques in an organic direction, linking the production, processing, and consumption of cinnamon products.

Thereby, helping cinnamon producers gradually grasp and apply knowledge well to actual production, such as techniques for planting, caring for, harvesting, processing, and preserving cinnamon products; increasing the use of organic fertilizers, microorganisms, and biologically derived pesticides; and limiting chemical fertilizer without using herbicides.

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Ms. Pham Thi Quy (Khe Co village, An Thinh commune, Van Yen district) shared that her family has 5 hectares of cinnamon registered to participate in the organic cinnamon growing project of Olam Vietnam Company. Currently, thanks to instructions on how to grow organic cinnamon, people have taken advantage of agricultural by-products combined with probiotics as fertilizer; used vegetation to create moisture, porosity, and improve soil fertility; and only used generators or knives for weeding without spraying herbicides. Thereby contributing to protecting the environment and creating clean products. Cinnamon products after harvest are purchased by businesses at a higher price.

Previously, cinnamon products in Van Yen were almost only exported to the Chinese market. But when realizing that domestic consumption is highly increasing and the European and American markets have a large demand for buying cinnamon products at higher prices, businesses such as Son Ha Spice Flavorings Co., Ltd., Olam Vietnam, Vicimex, etc., together with people, have formed and expanded the organic cinnamon-growing area.

Mr. Doan Anh Khoi (Olam Vietnam Company) said: "Van Yen cinnamon has always been a very famous brand. We highly appreciate the quality of cinnamon here, especially in terms of output and quality of essential oils. Our company exports products to many countries around the world, and Van Yen Cinnamon is now contributing 70% of the raw materials for production. Currently, the company is continuing to introduce Van Yen cinnamon sticks and cinnamon powder to supermarket chains in the US and Europe."

VND 800 billion/year from cinnamon trees

With the economic value brought by cinnamon trees, Van Yen district is promoting the development of cinnamon trees, especially expanding the organic cinnamon area. The change in production method from small-scale to organic production not only helps the productivity, quality, and value of cinnamon products in Van Yen increase sharply but also helps the locality reduce environmental pollution, protect natural water sources, and ensure community health.

On average, each year, Van Yen district exports to the market about 6,000 tons of dried cinnamon bark of all kinds, takes advantage of over 65,000 tons of cinnamon branches and leaves and more than 50,000 m³ of cinnamon wood, and distills 300 tons of cinnamon essential oil. Total revenue from cinnamon products reaches over VND 800 billion/year. In addition, cinnamon trees also create jobs for thousands of local workers.

Mr. Ha Duc Anh, Chairman of the Van Yen District People's Committee, said: The district has been focusing on building areas specializing in cinnamon cultivation, mainly on communes that have been granted geographical indications; focusing on producing organic and clean cinnamon products. At the same time, continue to introduce, promote, and participate in investment and export promotion programs for cinnamon products organized by authorities.

Along with that, well control seed supply; apply science and technology to cultivation, pest and disease prevention in cinnamon; and well control cinnamon output products to ensure the maintenance of the Van Yen cinnamon brand.

According to the Van Yen Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, 5,700 hectares of the organic cinnamon area in the entire district had achieved European and American certifications by the end of 2022, and nearly 1,600 hectares were certified organic in 2023. Currently, the district has implemented four cinnamon chains, and over 15,000 hectares will have completed the application for certification of organic cinnamon areas by the end of 2023.