Developing OCOP products to reach export markets worldwide

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) recently approved the evaluation and ranking results of the National One Commune One Product (OCOP) Program for 2024. According to the announcement, Bac Kan Province received 5-star OCOP certifications for three products: Vicumax Limited Nano Curcumin, Vicumax Nano Curcumin, and Vicumax Honey Nano Curcumin. These products are the properties of Bac Ha Curcumin JSC in Bac Kan City.

Over the years, Bac Ha Curcumin JSC has maintained its position as a pioneer in embracing scientific and technological advancements. Additionally, the company has invested in modern machinery, equipment, and production facilities to deliver high-quality products to the market. As a result, the company’s products have received certifications for meeting the GMP standards as set by the Ministry of Health.

Nguyen Thi Le, Deputy Director of Bac Ha Curcumin JSC, remarked that the three 5-star OCOP certifications have reaffirmed the company’s long-standing strategy of prioritizing high-quality production. She noted that the company will continue to improve its product quality and enhance trade promotion activities domestically and internationally to expand into potential export markets.

Bac Kan Province currently boasts four 5-star OCOP national products: the three aforementioned products and Tai Hoan vermicelli, produced by Tai Hoan Cooperative in Na Ri District. Among these products, Bac Kan has exported Tai Hoan vermicelli to European markets. In addition, Thanh Tam traditional herbal wine, produced by Thanh Tam Cooperative, has also found a market in Japan.

Nguyen Thi Hoan, Director of Tai Hoan Cooperative, shared that the recognition of their vermicelli as a 5-star OCOP product further strengthens their confidence. It also motivated the company to participate in trade promotion activities worldwide. The cooperative aims to expand its market beyond the Czech Republic to other challenging markets around the world.

Bac Kan Province is also home to several OCOP products with potential for official export to regional markets. Notable examples include processed products from turmeric, golden camellia tea, and traditional wines.

Ha Minh Doi, Director of Ha Diep Co., Ltd., headquartered in Bac Kan City, revealed that the company is currently producing several products from golden camellia tea, which have achieved 4-star OCOP certification and enjoy significant domestic demand. The company has focused on expanding its raw material areas and investing in modern processing equipment. It is also coordinating with partners to target official export opportunities for its products.

In recent years, Bac Kan Province has allocated significant resources to cooperatives and businesses to support the development of OCOP products. Notably, the province will support infrastructure investment for 14 cooperatives in 2024. These investments, which cover production facilities and warehouses under Decision No. 821/QD-UBND dated May 15, 2023, are expected to reach a total of 31 billion VND. This funding aims to enhance processing capacity and improve product quality for local cooperatives.

Additionally, Bac Kan will continue to refine its policies to support the development of OCOP products, with a particular focus on products with the potential to reach the 5-star status. The province will prioritize identifying promising products, building value chains, and concentrating on key items to standardize them at the 5-star level, thereby promoting Bac Kan’s OCOP products in both domestic and international markets.

The One Commune One Product (OCOP) program was officially launched in Bac Kan Province in 2018. To date, the province has 218 OCOP-certified products rated at 3 stars or higher, and four 5-star products.

Vicumax Limited Nano Curcumin, Vicumax Nano Curcumin, and Vicumax Honey Nano Curcumin are the three OCOP products from Bac Kan Province that achieved 5-star certification in 2024.

These products are made from turmeric, which is widely cultivated in Bac Kan Province. They are produced in GMP-certified facilities and are closely linked to the province’s unique medicinal herb-growing regions, reflecting the rich cultural values of the local community.

Bac Kan is a mountainous province located in the centre of the Northeastern region, with nearly 38,000 hectares of natural land area for annual crop production, and more than 333,000 hectares of forest and forestry land. In addition to key crops such as oranges, seedless persimmons, Canna, and rice, the province also possesses the potential to develop medicinal herbs.