Mr. Pascal Billaud, CEO of Central Food Retail Group, Ambassador of Asia on Geographical Indications of the United Nations, made a speech about the geographical indication story within the framework of ThaiFex 2018 Fair in Thailand.
Vietnam has many products granted geographical indications, including Phu Quoc pepper, Ben Tre green grapefruit, Ben Tre Siamese coconuts, Ha Long squid pies … However, many Vietnamese products on the market International prices have not yet been high.
Mr. Pascal Billaud, Managing Director of Central Food Retail Group, Asian Ambassador for United Nations Geographical Indications at the workshop.
Cambodia's pepper price is 3 times higher than that of Vietnam and Thailand
The Asian Ambassador to the United Nations Geographical Indications (CDD) cited, as is now, also pepper, but Kampot (Cambodia) black pepper costs 15 USD / kg, Thailand 6 USD / kg, and Vietnam. Male is only 5.04 USD / kg.
This means that Vietnam has not done well in the benefits of GIs in increasing productivity for growers.
Or other benefits of product and brand traceability through products with GI.
For example, Doi Chaang Coffee is named after the rural village in the hills of northeastern Thailand. Commitment to fair trade organic coffee, quality assurance and best taste.
With geographical indications (CDD), the ambassador said that Vietnam should promote people's awareness, create more forms of training and education for people.
Mr. Pascal Billaud added, GI is very important for farmer households, it provides necessary information about the product and specific protection of its geography.
“So when local farmers intend to develop and protect their local area and protect their GI, they must register it with their agencies or departments.”
The expert advised that with the GI products that Vietnam is currently exporting to China, it is recommended to protect these production areas, ensuring the balance and fairness for farmers.
Thailand, how do they protect geographical indications?
Although Thai pepper does not sell as well as Cambodian pepper, many products with Thai geographical indications have good prices in the world. Governments and businesses in this country have special “preferences” for products with geographical indications.
Mr. Pascal said, Central now supports Thai GIs in:
– Sourcing the products to supply to customers;
– Have a product certification to ensure safety;
– Tracing to know the origin of products;
– Create a sustainable economy by ensuring income for local farmers;
– Improve community products;
– Building a strong community of GIs; Support OTOP and SME locally.
In addition, Thai GI products are also widely sold at all Central Food, Tops Markets and Tops superstores. In addition, Tops – Central Group also promotes product sales on its online shopping channel.
The Thai government has stepped up products with geographical indications in 77 provinces and cities across the country with the goal of adding product value and encouraging local farmers.
Government goal: 1 province 1 product with geographical indications. Including the linkage of the components are: Growers / producers; Standard geographical indications; Products with geographical indications; Market; Department of Intellectual Property; Product development and packaging design.
In Thailand, the quality standards are different depending on the product. The GI products do not need to be an organic product but mainly the agricultural products that meet the standards of Thai Gap applied from Global Gap.
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