More open market
The Goods Quality Control Cooperation Program - shortened as "Responsible Green ticket" was launched by Ho Chi Minh City in March 2024. After more than a year of launching, the "Responsible Green ticket" program has attracted 345 registered suppliers, including 235 suppliers with approved products. Of the total 2,887 registered products, 2,811 products have been confirmed.
As a supplier, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Quang - representative of Long Binh General Agricultural Cooperative said that previously, the cooperative's vegetable output per month sold to Bach Hoa Xanh distribution channel was only about 5 tons. After participating in "Responsible Green ticket", the supply output nearly doubled, reaching 9 tons/month. However, according to Mr. Quang, the bottleneck of factories and workers is hindering them from seizing the opportunity to expand the market, even though the door to other supermarkets is wide open.
Similarly, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kieu Oanh - Executive Director of Mekong Delta Foods Company Limited said that in the early stages of participating in the program, the company encountered many difficulties when some farmers reacted to being too strict in production when the company implemented the program's requirements. However, after a period of application, they gradually realized that this is the factor that helps build trust with consumers.
"Up to now, the movement has received a positive response. Products with green Tick when launched on the market are all recognized, highly appreciated and consumption has also increased" - Ms. Oanh shared.
Aiming for 100% of suppliers to participate in green ticks
Mr. Dinh Quang Khoi - Marketing Director of MM Mega Market informed that products participating in the "Responsible Green ticket" program recorded a sales growth rate of 20-30%, while products not participating only achieved an average growth rate of 5-10%.
"We aim to have 100% of suppliers participating in the responsible green Tick program by 2030. At that time, if suppliers want to join our system, they must participate in the program, whether it is a Vietnamese or foreign enterprise" - Mr. Khoi emphasized.
In the Bach Hoa Xanh system, there are 155 suppliers with 551 registered products, however, the level of recognition at the point of sale is still not uniform.
According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai - Head of Bach Hoa Xanh Quality Control Department, the unit is focusing on inspecting the group of shops and packages - which have high potential risks to expand the coverage of the program and aim for the goal of 100% of suppliers participating.
Mr. Dao Ha Trung - Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Association, the program's accompanying unit - said that currently, the products participating in "Responsible Green ticket" do not only stop at fresh goods but also include processed and packaged goods with a quality monitoring system updated with blockchain technology. When a product is certified by many distributors, it is not only a guarantee of quality, but also a "honorable passport" to help elevate the brand of genuine suppliers.
Mr. Trung emphasized that consumers cannot evaluate the quality themselves; the responsibility for control belongs to the State, suppliers and distribution systems. This is the core of the program: Do not push traceability and testing responsibility towards consumers, but establish a transparent, proactive and co-control mechanism between entities in the supply chain.
Mr. Nguyen Nguyen Phuong - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City - said that currently, some major distributors such as Saigon Co.op, MM Mega Market, Bach Hoa Xanh are implementing very well. The number of registered suppliers and products is also much richer than other systems.
"The program is not mandatory but creates a positive effect, increasing market confidence. We will honor units that do well, and at the same time, inspect and eliminate violating units to build a transparent and responsible market" - Mr. Phuong affirmed.
