Thanh Hoa agricultural products are present in many countries and territories

260 booths displayed at the Supply - demand connection conference

The Supply - demand connection conference and exhibition for safe agricultural and food products from Thanh Hoa province in 2024 will be held from October 24 to 28 at Lam Son Square in Thanh Hoa City. This event will feature a variety of key activities, including the exhibition of safe agricultural and food products and a dedicated session for supply-demand connections.

This year, the conference will host a remarkable total of 260 booths, showcasing nearly 1.000 different types of products. Among these, 49 booths will represent 27 districts, towns, and cities within Thanh Hoa province. Additionally, 14 booths will be organized by local industry associations. There will also be 124 booths from local businesses and cooperatives, as well as 73 booths from neighboring provinces, showcasing a diverse range of agricultural offerings. A total of 230 enterprises, cooperatives, and agricultural and food production and business establishments, both from Thanh Hoa and other regions, have registered to display their products.

During his remarks at the conference, Mr. Le Duc Giang, the Vice Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, emphasized the substantial potential that Thanh Hoa holds for developing large-scale agriculture and integrating advanced technologies into the sector. He highlighted that in 2023, the total agricultural production value of the province exceeded 3.23 million USD, positioning Thanh Hoa as the 9th largest agricultural production area in Vietnam.

Mr. Giang further noted that agricultural products from Thanh Hoa have successfully reached numerous international markets. He pointed out that one specific OCOP (One Commune One Product) item from Thanh Hoa is now available in 60 supermarkets across the United States. Despite these significant accomplishments, he acknowledged that the agricultural sector in Thanh Hoa, and particularly its various agricultural products, has not yet reached its full potential in relation to the region’s advantages.

"Statistics show that only 30% of agricultural products are sold through linked supply chains, while the remainder is sold through traditional markets and unstable distribution channels. Therefore, the supply-demand connection conference provides an opportunity for cooperatives, businesses, and localities from both within and outside the province to network and promote their agricultural brands and safe food products to consumers. It allows us to understand consumer preferences better and develop appropriate production and business strategies to meet the growing market demand. Additionally, this is also a chance for Thanh Hoa province to welcome and introduce the beauty, culture, and investment opportunities of our land and people to delegates and distinguished guests from all over the country", Mr. Le Duc Giang emphasized.

Participating in the supply chain to end the "Bumper harvest, plummeting rrices" issue

Currently, Thanh Hoa province has nearly 80 enterprises, cooperatives, and production facilities involved in the supply chain for the consumption and distribution of agricultural products. These products primarily include fish sauce, fermented fish, seafood, vegetables, fruits, sugar, poultry meat, eggs, and OCOP products. Some stable production-consumption linkages include contracts between the Phu Loc Agricultural Cooperative and Dong Giao Export Food Company (Ninh Binh), which annually consumes over 1.000 tons of vegetables with a merchandise value of approximately 317.000 USD.

Another notable contract is between Ho Guong - Song Am Joint Stock Company and TADASHI Human Resources Joint Stock Company, which annually sells over 250 tons of fruits (pineapples, lychees, dragon fruits) with an estimated total merchandise value of about 149.000 USD. Additionally, products from several enterprises, such as Lam Son Sugar Company, Le Gia Food and Trade Service Company, and New Style Joint Stock Company, are available in numerous supermarkets and distribution agents across 30 provinces and cities nationwide.

The products within the safe food supply chain are meticulously monitored throughout every stage of the production and business processes. This comprehensive control is designed to enhance product quality and ensure food safety, thereby meeting the growing consumption demands of both local residents and markets beyond the province.

In addition to this, Thanh Hoa province boasts around 600 enterprises, cooperatives, and production, processing, and trading facilities actively engaged in promoting, showcasing, and selling agricultural products, as well as OCOP (One Commune One Product) items. These businesses utilize various e-commerce platforms, including voso.vn, posmart.vn, Lazada, and Shopee, to reach consumers, featuring a diverse selection of over 1.000 different products. Moreover, the integration of e-commerce into the sales strategy has opened new avenues for these products. Many items have successfully tapped into international markets, securing export opportunities to countries such as Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, and South Africa.

At the conference, Mr. Cao Van Cuong, the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Thanh Hoa, highlighted that: "Models of safe food supply chains have been established and expanded, achieving an increase across all three key criteria: the number of chains, the number of products being controlled within these chains, and the number of stores that sell safe food. In addition, various movements and exemplary models for the production and trading of safe food have been promoted effectively. The ongoing linkage within these supply chains has also contributed significantly to stabilizing the consumption of agricultural products for farmers in accordance with seasonal cycles, thereby alleviating the problem of having a 'good harvest but low prices'".

Furthermore, Mr. Cao Van Cuong emphasized that the agricultural product and food supply-demand connection conference continues to serve as a crucial bridge. It aims to enhance the consumption of agricultural products for farmers, which is vital for sustainable agricultural development. This initiative not only enhances the overall value of agricultural produce but also plays a transformative role in shifting agricultural production structures. Ultimately, it contributes to increasing the income of the local population in Thanh Hoa Province.

Aspiration for Thanh Hoa agricultural products to achieve greater recognition

Currently, the market for safe agricultural products from Thanh Hoa Province has expanded significantly, reaching nearly 50 provinces and cities across Vietnam. Additionally, these products have successfully entered export markets in 20 countries and territories worldwide.

At the conference on supply-demand connections and the exhibition of safe agricultural products from Thanh Hoa Province in 2024, Mr. Le Ngoc Anh, Director of Le Gia Food and Trade Services Company (known for Le Gia Fermented Fish Sauce), shared that after eight years of dedicated effort and innovation, Le Gia Fermented Fish Sauce has established a presence in nearly all major supermarket chains throughout the country. Furthermore, the product has gained entry into highly selective international markets, including the United States, Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.

“We believe that the export of traditional fish sauce is not merely a commercial economic activity; it is also an export of the cultural culinary values passed down from our ancestors. Through our own story as a small entity, we assert that for Vietnamese agricultural products to penetrate global markets, it is essential to not only enhance product quality but also to maintain unwavering trust, determination, and responsibility toward the products we create. Additionally, businesses must thoroughly prepare all necessary conditions and production plans to serve long-term goals, as well as carefully understand the requirements of target markets to improve product consumption efficiency".

Mr. Le Ngoc Anh further emphasized that to effectively reach international customers, businesses need to focus on trade promotion.

“Participating in international trade fairs, or even domestic fairs organized at the international level, presents an opportunity for agricultural products to connect with consumers. However, not every entity has the resources to participate, as the investment needed for these fairs can be quite substantial. Therefore, this trade promotion activity greatly requires support and collaboration from governmental management agencies”, Mr. Le Ngoc Anh shared.