Up to now, the whole province has 145 OCOP products. Of these, there are 32 qualified products for 04 stars and 113 products achieved 03 stars from 67 subjects
Survey results show that after being recognized, OCOP products’ revenue increased by about 10-30%, most product selling prices increased by 20%, and some products’ selling prices increased by 25-30%. After being recognized, to ensure supply to meet market demand, the entities proactively expanded raw material areas, invested in factories, upgraded modern equipment and machinery to serve production and business activities, meeting market needs. In the spirit of maintaining and gradually improving the quality of recognized products, prioritizing and encouraging the participation and development of cooperatives and businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises. From there, expand and connect trade, bringing OCOP products in the province further in the market, especially export markets. The Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee issued a decision to assign leaders of departments, branches, localities, and provincial organizations to be in charge of supporting the upgrade of OCOP products to 4 – 5 stars.
After a period of drastic action from all sectors, levels and subjects’ initiative, 09/09 district-level units have organized product evaluation and classification for 51 products of 29 subjects. Of these, 21 products of 11 subjects were awarded 3 stars and 30 products of 18 subjects were rated 4 stars. Increasing the total number of OCOP products in the province to 145 products. In which, there are 32 products eligible for 4 stars and 113 products for 3 stars from 67 subjects. When achieving 4-star OCOP product quality, many opportunities are created in developing, upgrading products, connecting trade, and expanding markets.
Entities whose products are recognized as 4-star OCOP continue to maintain and perfect the criteria to meet 5-star OCOP recognition standards, thereby expanding into export markets
Mr. Nguyen Van Tiep, Director of Ong Muon Clean Rice Cooperative, Ly Van Lam commune, Ca Mau city, said: The Cooperative has a clean rice product that has been recognized with 3 OCOP stars and is eligible for 4 stars. Participating and achieving OCOP product certification has contributed to improving product quality and value. Completing the criteria to upgrade from 3 to 4 stars is also a condition for improving quality and innovating product form. From there, creating many opportunities to be present and appear in many larger markets, and to be more confident in approaching other markets. In particular, recently, our products have just participated in display and sales at the OCOP Center in Phu Tho province, initially with positive results. At the same time, this December, there will be a group of experts from the United States coming to survey, this is a good opportunity and motivation for us to continue trying harder in advertising, promotion, and market expansion”.
According to the regulations on OCOP product classification in Decision 148/QD-TTg dated February 24, 2023 of the Prime Minister promulgating a set of criteria and procedures for evaluating and classifying products under the One Commune One Product Program, OCOP 3-star products are products with specific characteristics and stable commercial management that can be upgraded to 4 stars; for products meeting OCOP 4-star standards, they are typical products that meet the requirements of good market quality and have the potential to be upgraded to 5 stars; OCOP 5-star products are typical products of high quality and meet the conditions for export. Although OCOP products in the province are constantly improving in quantity and quality, up to now, there is still no OCOP product with 5 stars. This is an important goal for all sectors, levels and entities to make more efforts.
Mr. Nguyen Van Bien, Member of Dam Doi Ba Khia Cooperative, Quach Pham Bac commune, Dam Doi district, said: “This time, the Cooperative has 4 products of salted sesarmid crab, pre-mixed sesarmid crab, sesarmid crab paste, and sweet and sour shrimp paste that qualify for 4 OCOP stars. After successfully upgrading the products to 4 OCOP stars, it is the driving force for the cooperative to continue expanding, developing markets, increasing production, contributing to promote the local socio-economic development. In addition, the products have quality safety certificate, they will continue to improve towards the export market”.
To qualify for quality standards for export products, entities need to have breakthroughs and creativity in product development
Mr. Duong Vu Nam, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, said: “With the role of trade promotion for OCOP products in the province, the Department of Industry and Trade has organized many exciting activities to promote, introduce, seek and expand markets for the products. For products that have been recognized with 4 stars, OCOP is a prerequisite for developing 5-star products, creating opportunities to access export markets. However, to qualify for 5-star OCOP quality standards, entities need to have breakthroughs and creativity in further product development. Subjects pay attention to the issue of brand identity, innovation, improvement of product packaging design, accurate description of product nature, product information needs to be translated into diverse languages to reach many markets. school. Most important, it is necessary to stabilize and continuously improve product quality, creating a sustainable and long-term reputation in the market. At the same time, promote the application of digital transformation in market development”.
Mr. Nguyen Van Quan, Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said: “Over the past time, departments and branches, especially localities, have always accompanied and tried hard to choose products and create records to upgrade OCOP products. The subject has made efforts in product development, has had many products after the quality improvement period recognized 3-4 stars and continues to develop 5-star products. The goal is to develop OCOP products that meet export standards. In order to do that, departments, branches and localities encourage and support product development entities; prioritize key product groups and specialty products; pay attention to support, create conditions, and guide how to overcome difficulties for subjects to develop potential OCOP products that meet the conditions of 4 – 5 stars to ensure efficiency and quality. After being recognized as 4-star, entities continue to maintain upgraded criteria, improve marketing capacity, and enhance product promotion in many forms”.
