The awarded products include Le Chi organic white pepper from Nam Yang Agricultural and Service Cooperative, pure coconut oil from Ngoc An Agricultural Cooperative, organic rice from An Tin Agricultural Cooperative, and honey from Phuong Di Bee Honey Cooperative.
The recognition reflects a broader move away from small-scale farming toward quality-driven production, branding, and market expansion.
Le Chi organic white pepper exemplifies this transition. Produced under strict organic standards certified by Control Union for both US and European markets, the product has secured a position in the premium segment after achieving a 5-star OCOP rating. The cooperative’s approach emphasizes sustainable cultivation practices aligned with natural cycles, enabling it to expand into both domestic and international markets.
Similarly, Phuong Di Bee Honey Cooperative has shifted from raw honey extraction to a controlled value chain model. With an annual output of about 100 tons, the cooperative ensures strict oversight from harvesting to processing, preserving natural enzymes, aroma, and nutritional value. The recognition is expected to support its ambitions to enter demanding markets such as Japan and South Korea.
Ngoc An Agricultural Cooperative has developed its coconut oil from the Tam Quan coconut region using clean production methods that retain the product’s natural characteristics. The cooperative positions its product as more than a commodity, highlighting its connection to local heritage and cultivation expertise.
Meanwhile, An Tin Agricultural Cooperative’s organic rice underscores the growing importance of traceability and chemical-free production. Produced under a strict zero-chemical policy, the rice meets rising consumer demand for transparency and quality, providing a competitive advantage in the market.
Despite limited access to capital and advanced technology, these cooperatives have driven change through a shift in production mindset, prioritizing market demand, product quality, and branding over volume. National recognition and 5-star OCOP certification have opened pathways to larger markets, though scaling production while maintaining consistent quality remains a key challenge.
Cooperatives are now focusing on processing and market expansion strategies. Nam Yang is targeting export markets such as China and Japan, while Phuong Di is investing in technology and partnerships to increase value.
Processed and professionally packaged honey products now generate four to five times higher value compared to raw honey, highlighting the economic potential of value-added agriculture.
The success of these cooperatives illustrates a broader trend in Vietnam’s agricultural sector: sustainable growth increasingly depends on standardization, processing, and brand development rather than traditional volume-based production.