QR codes become the key to unlocking major retail markets for agricultural products

As transparency becomes a strict requirement in the agricultural market, QR codes have emerged as a mandatory standard for products entering modern retail systems such as WinMart, GO!/BigC, Co.opmart and MM Mega Market. These distributors require farm products to carry traceability QR codes that provide complete information, including growing-area codes, cultivation procedures, fertilizers and pesticides used, harvest dates, preliminary processing, quality testing and food safety certification. This helps consumers verify product reliability while enabling producers to demonstrate professionalism. Without QR codes, products face significant barriers to accessing mainstream distribution channels.

OCOP products of the province chosen by consumers at the Autumn Fair 2025 in Hanoi.

Cooperatives and producers in Tuyen Quang and neighboring regions have increasingly embraced digitalization. In the honey sector, electronic traceability stamps allow customers to verify product information online. A notable example is Po My Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative, which links over 30 beekeeping households and produces Bac ha mint honey rated 3–4 stars under the OCOP program, with ambitions for export. By leveraging e-commerce platforms and digital payments, the cooperative earns 70–80% of its retail revenue online, reaching about VND 2.5 billion per year.

Tuyen Quang currently has 454 OCOP products, many of which have entered domestic retail chains and approached international markets thanks to QR traceability. Among them, Shan tuyet Phin Ho tea – a national 5-star OCOP product – stands out for its organic cultivation practices following European standards, giving it distinctive quality and flavor.

In practice, QR codes and electronic production logs are no longer mere technical tools but essential keys to enhancing product credibility and value. With effective use of data and digital technologies, Tuyen Quang’s agricultural products are well positioned to expand further and sustainably, in line with the trend toward transparent and globally integrated agriculture.

Trang Tam