Lao organic products require better promotion
Lao organic products require better promotion
Organic products are selling well in the domestic market, creating intense competition among companies in the business.
Chairman of the Lao Organic Product Centre Mr Khamsing Sihathep told Vientiane Times they had a booth showing their products at the recent ODOP fair in Vientiane but failed to sell as much as in previous years.
He felt this was because there are an increasing number of enterprises and individuals producing organic products in Laos and many organic products from neighbouring countries are now available so consumers have a wider range of choice in what to buy.
Some prefer to buy products from outside the country as the prices are lower than for Lao products, he added.
Mr Khamsing suggested that the government and relevant business sectors haven't seriously encouraged the public to support and buy Lao organic products so most of the people don't know much about them.
The relevant government sectors should, therefore, help to raise public awareness on the use of Lao organic products and advertise them widely ahead of the Asean Economic Community which comes into effect at the end of the year .
This AEC integration will generate greater competition in various businesses, including the organic product business in Laos, he said.
Mr Khamsing urged producers to increase their advertising and enhance the quality standards of their products so they can become acceptable in international markets.
In company with that they should maintain their unique character, with the products made from all natural ingredients, so when foreigners come to Laos and want to use and consume Lao organic products they will be able to, he added.
Besides selling well in the domestic market, organic products of Laos are now being recognised and sought by overseas customers.
Mr Khamsing explained that some purchases of our organic products are intended for shipment to America, Russia, the Republic of Korea, Japan and some neighbouring countries.
Some foreigners, especially Korean and Japanese, have already called in the centre in Viengchaleun village, Xaysettha district, to examine and buy the organic products.
The centre has more than 40 different products in stock which are divided into the four categories of household items, health and beauty, bio power, and agriculture.
The best selling products are organic teas which sell two packages of each type per month.
Mr Khamsing believes that if Lao organic products are promoted and supported by all sectors, they will easily be accepted and become renowned amongst domestic and overseas consumers.
