The Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has established nearly 1,000 distribution chains for safe agricultural products in cooperation with 43 provinces and cities. This initiative significantly increases the availability of safe products for the capital's residents.

"Cooperation among provinces to bring agricultural products and local specialties to the Hanoi market will improve quality control and ensure that consumers receive top-quality goods," said Nguyen Nhu Tiep, Director of the Department of Quality Management, Processing and Market Development under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Looking ahead, the agricultural sector in Hanoi plans to intensify trade promotion efforts and create stronger links between production and consumption with the provinces. 

The municipal department aims to conduct regular sampling and analysis of agricultural products arriving in Hanoi while tracking the origin of products shipped from the capital to other regions. These efforts will strengthen traceability and quality assurance in the market.

Connecting manufacturers and distributors for success

Local consumers at a craft fair stand. Photo: Hoai Nam/ The Hanoi Times

With a population of around ten million and millions of domestic and international tourists each year, the demand for safe agricultural products in Hanoi is immense.

Bui Thi Khanh, Director of Khanh Tho Trading Services Company in Hai Duong Province, believes Hanoi is a vibrant market ready for business. Her company is involved in networking meetings to forge partnerships and explore new distribution channels.

Similarly, the Tu Xa Cooperative in Lam Thao District, Phu Tho Province, which supplies safe fruit and vegetables to supermarkets in Hanoi and neighboring provinces, is looking at new ways of distribution, according to its Director, Nguyen Duc Dung.

Tran Tu Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Phu Tho Province, pointed out that VietGAP-certified safe vegetables are among 123 agricultural chains from the province that have the potential to enter Hanoi's supermarket system.

To further expand the market, Hanoi's agricultural sector organizes fairs and sales weeks for businesses and cooperatives in the city and neighboring provinces to promote safe agricultural products.

Businesses, cooperatives and production facilities in Hanoi and beyond have a great opportunity to share insightful production practices and add value to their products through these trade promotion programs and networking events. 

Such initiatives strengthen trade relationships, enhance marketing efforts, attract customers, and open new market opportunities. By stimulating domestic demand and increasing retail sales of agricultural, forestry and fishery products, they raise the status of these goods in the domestic marketplace and set the stage for future export success.

Nguyen Thi Le, owner of Van Xuan dried fruits, reflected on the benefits of participating in Hanoi's trade promotion programs and was happy to see her brand become prominent in the city with a product rated four stars by the city's OCOP (One Commune One Product) program. 

"These events give us a great opportunity to aggressively market agricultural brands, healthy foods and local specialties to a large consumer base in the capital. In addition, they provide important cooperation for the consumption of agricultural products from many provinces," Le pointed out.

Tran Thi Phuong Lan, Acting Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, noted that the city has launched a variety of supply-demand connection activities involving 30 provinces and cities. This initiative allows businesses from Quang Tri, Bac Kan, Tay Ninh, and Hai Duong to directly participate in Hanoi's distribution network.

In addition, Hanoi has hosted more than 40 trade exchanges and fairs, bringing about 3,000 products from these provinces to the capital's market. In 2023, the city successfully facilitated the sale of over 500,000 tons of Vietnamese products.

A stand displaying longan at the Longan Week - Hung Yen Provincial Agricultural Produce 2024. Photo: VNA

Currently, the city meets up to 70% of its consumers' food needs. However, it continues to work with 43 provinces to maintain and develop 946 agricultural supply chains involving 1,130 entities to ensure a steady supply of safe food.

Nguyen Dinh Hoa, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, noted that these supply chains attract a diverse range of businesses, cooperatives, and farmers. This collaboration not only stabilizes production but also minimizes farmers' losses.

"This partnership enhances branding efforts and raises the profile of products in both domestic and international markets," he added.