Cao Bang develops an area of organic agricultural raw materials for export to Europe

Local farmers harvest organic ginger, part of the extensive spice material area being strictly standardized to penetrate the European supply chain.

In the process of international economic integration, Cao Bang positions organic agriculture as the core lever for local economic restructuring. Taking advantage of the temperate microclimate, large day and night heat amplitude and pristine forestry land fund of up to 547,000 hectares, the locality has successfully planned a large-scale ecosystem of endemic planting areas. The current agricultural structure records 8,400 hectares of short-term trees, more than 13,600 hectares of long-term forest products (mainly cinnamon and anise), and a system of endemic medicinal herbs with high economic value.

The cultivation area for spice materials is heavily invested in by DACE Company, dominating with over 2,300 hectares officially certified with global organic standards.

The bright spot that strengthens the competitiveness of Cao Bang agriculture is the international quality certification system. As of September 2026, the whole province has 2,353 hectares of cultivated area officially certified with the most stringent organic standards globally, including USDA (USA), EU Organic (Europe) and JAS (Japan). In particular, the area of spice materials (cinnamon, anise, ginger) invested by Agricultural Development and Environmental Consulting Co., Ltd. (DACE) is absolutely dominant with more than 2,300 hectares.

In order to end the situation of raw exports, direct investment capital flows are being directed into rural industrial infrastructure. DACE Company is urgently implementing the project of a closed organic spice processing, preservation and export factory. At the same time, Cao Bang Green Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company is building a large-scale preliminary processing and processing complex of medicinal herbs. This industrial infrastructure is the decisive link, directly extending the storage time and increasing the surplus value for agricultural products before export.

Cao Bang successfully utilizes its pristine forestry land fund to develop high-value long-term forest products such as anise.

At the strategic working session on September 15, 2026 between Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee, DACE Company and representatives of ChaDo GmbH Company (Germany), the technical barriers of the EU market were clearly established. International customers do not just purchase raw materials, they set strict requirements for traceability, biodiversity protection and soil health. In particular, the European high-end market is aiming for the Demeter standard – the highest set of biodynamic agriculture standards in the world. International experts appreciate that Cao Bang owns the perfect ecological space to become a strategic Demeter standard organic spice supply center for the whole EU.

Affirming the vision of macro-level governance, Mr. Le Hai Hoa - Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee, emphasized that the province's green agriculture development strategy is absolutely not measured by mechanical output. The focus of the government is to apply international standards to protect ecosystems, create sustainable livelihoods and ensure fair profit margins for ethnic minorities directly participating in the supply chain.

The green agriculture strategy focuses on applying international standards to crops like cinnamon to create sustainable livelihoods for ethnic minorities directly participating in the supply chain.

The provincial government assigns the Department of Agriculture and Environment to act as a focal point, coordinating with investors to re-establish the map of raw material areas. The short-term strategy focuses maximum resources on completing the value chain of spice plants. In the long term, the organic standardization process will expand to other key products such as black jelly, mulberry, passion fruit and indigenous medicinal herbs. Cao Bang province is committed to adhering to the legal framework, establishing an open corridor to support businesses in completing geographical indication protection dossiers, digitizing traceability data and promoting trade directly in the European market.

The comprehensive upgrading process from the raw material area to the processing plant affirms Cao Bang's sharp economic thinking. By taking international standards as a reference system, local agricultural products are steadily overcoming trade technical barriers, establishing a unique position on the global organic agriculture map.

In the long term, the organic standardization process will expand to endemic medicinal herbs to ensure sustainable economic restructuring for local communities.