Many cooperatives in Việt Nam are aligning their strategies with global trends by prioritizing green and clean products. This shift aims to enhance brand positioning and competitiveness in international markets. Experts highlight that green production, exports, and consumption are emerging trends worldwide, with key markets like the United States, Europe, China, Japan, and South Korea emphasizing environmental protection alongside product quality and pricing.
In the European Union, movements toward sustainable consumption necessitate compliance with strict standards, including animal and plant quarantine, traceability, environmental protection, food safety, and packaging. Consequently, Việt Nam's cooperatives are adapting to these evolving consumer expectations and regulatory requirements by adopting sustainable practices and eco-friendly production methods.
These cooperatives view the green transformation as a strategic necessity to remain competitive and leverage opportunities from free trade agreements (FTAs). An example is the Đông Triều Custard Apple Cooperative, which encourages growers to adopt VietGAP and organic farming practices. These methods have increased the cooperative's output, with each hectare yielding over ten tonnes annually, resulting in a revenue increase of approximately USD 2,750 per hectare compared to traditional farming methods. This shift aligns with international market demands, particularly those prioritizing traceability and environmentally friendly production.
Similarly, Tam Nông Vietnam Cooperative in HCM City produces chili sauce and other agricultural products, investing in packaging solutions that meet Japan's stringent market requirements. They use aluminum trays for packaging chili sauce and frozen products, ensuring both product safety and environmental sustainability. Nguyễn Thị Vân Anh, head of Tam Nông, states these improvements not only ensure export compliance but also reinforce the cooperative's green commitment, establishing a trustworthy brand.
Another innovation from Việt Nam's cooperative sector is Ecos straws by Sông Hồng Agricultural Cooperative. Made from organic vegetables, these biodegradable straws can be repurposed as fish feed. Their quality-tested products have received FDA certification from the United States, aiding international market entry.
Liên Minh Safe Agricultural Products Cooperative faced challenges in maintaining product quality and minimizing pollution. Embracing organic farming, they now produce tea that meets safety standards using organic fertilizers, increasing monthly production to three tonnes of dried tea, generating over USD 19,600 in revenue.
Despite progress, experts express concerns over rising organic certification fraud, which undermines consumer trust and threatens international reputations. Trần Văn Hiếu of DACE Company stresses the importance of legitimate certifications like EU Organic or USDA Organic, which command higher prices and assure international customers of natural, chemical-free, and sustainably produced products. Fraud in organic certification poses a threat to Việt Nam's agricultural credibility and export opportunities.
Source: Viet Nam News