Lao Cai’s Ambitious Goal for Organic Cinnamon Cultivation

Lao Cai Province, known for its vast cinnamon plantations, is striving to enhance the value of its cinnamon industry by expanding the cultivation of organic cinnamon. With over 60,800 hectares of cinnamon already planted, the province harvested 157,000 tons of dried bark, branches, and leaves in 2024, along with 465 tons of essential oil and 58,805 cubic meters of cinnamon wood.

Towards 5,000 Hectares of Organic Cinnamon by 2025

In response to growing market demands, Lào Cai aims to develop over 5,000 hectares of organic-certified cinnamon by 2025. To achieve this, local authorities are focusing on educating farmers about organic farming techniques and fostering the formation of commercial cinnamon production zones.

Organic Cinnamon Development in Bắc Hà

Bắc Hà district, one of Lào Cai’s cinnamon hubs, has been cultivating cinnamon since 1975. Initially planted in Nậm Đét, cinnamon quickly adapted to the area’s soil and climate. As a result, the district has seen rapid growth, with 10,087 hectares of cinnamon now planted across 15 communes and townships, including prominent areas like Nậm Đét, Nậm Lúc, and Bản Cái.

Currently, 2,247 hectares of Bắc Hà’s cinnamon fields hold EU organic certification, primarily located in Nậm Đét, Nậm Lúc, and Bản Cái. Despite this achievement, many challenges remain, such as limited processing facilities and a lack of value-added products.

“We see great potential for building a sustainable value chain for cinnamon,” said Chu Thị Dương, Vice Chairman of Bắc Hà District. “However, challenges persist, including unregulated expansion of plantations and insufficient market access for value-added cinnamon products.”

Expanding Organic Cinnamon for Sustainable Growth

To overcome these obstacles, Bắc Hà is taking proactive measures:

• Training programs: Farmers receive training on organic cultivation techniques, sustainable farming methods, and product processing.
• Investment support: Local authorities are working to attract investment for processing facilities to create value-added products.
• Organic certification: Efforts are underway to expand organic-certified cinnamon cultivation, contributing to higher incomes for farmers and more competitive products.

By 2025, Bắc Hà aims to develop over 12,000 hectares of high-quality cinnamon plantations and foster partnerships with cooperatives and businesses to ensure a sustainable production and supply chain.

A Vision for Organic Excellence

Lào Cai Province is committed to maintaining its leadership in the cinnamon industry. The province has set an ambitious goal to have 35% of its cinnamon plantations certified as organic by 2030 under Resolution 10-NQ/TU.

This vision includes expanding exports, improving processing technologies, and increasing the value-added products derived from cinnamon, such as essential oils, spices, and natural health products.

Conclusion

The dedication of Lào Cai and districts like Bắc Hà to sustainable organic cinnamon production is paving the way for greater market success. With investments in education, technology, and organic certification, the future looks bright for Lào Cai’s cinnamon industry.

At VietGlobal Export, we proudly connect international buyers with the best organic cinnamon products from Lào Cai and other premium sources in Vietnam. Stay tuned for more updates on sustainable spice sourcing and market trends.