The Cuc Phuong Honey Production and Trading Cooperative is situated at the edge of the Cuc Phuong National Park in Ninh Binh province, Vietnam. Established in 2020, it emerged from the merger of three local beekeeping farmers’ groups under the guidance and support of the Nho Quan District Farmers’ Union, a member of the Viet Nam Farmers’ Union (VNFU).
Cuc Phuong National Park spans 22,200 hectares and is Vietnam’s first and most well-protected nature reserve. Known as the “green lung” of Northern Vietnam, the park serves as a vast natural museum with a rich ecosystem and a conservation center for endangered species.
The Cuc Phuong Honey Production and Trading Cooperative harnesses the park’s diverse flora to support its beekeeping activities, managing 1,800 bee swarms. To ensure high-quality honey production, it employs centralized processing methods with the aid of modern machinery.
Since its establishment, the cooperative has steadily grown in both membership and production capacity. Between 2020 and 2022, the number of beehives doubled, generating employment for approximately 60 local residents and benefiting around 120 individuals. Currently, the cooperative is focused on expanding its market presence and strengthening the Cuc Phuong honey brand, producing up to 14,000 liters annually.
Beyond business growth, the cooperative plays a vital role in conserving local bee species and preserving regional biodiversity. It also contributes to the local economy by creating sustainable livelihoods and improving living standards for community members.
In 2022, the cooperative received support from the APFP-FO4A program through VNFU, the program’s national implementing agency in Vietnam. This assistance enabled the cooperative to acquire advanced machinery, boosting production efficiency, enhancing product quality, and strengthening marketing efforts to expand its reach.
APFP-FO4A is co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and is implemented by the consortium Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) and La Via Campesina (LVC).
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