Agricultural produce being processed for export. (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnam Trade Office in Türkiye said that, with nearly 5 million members and around 50,000 cooperatives, Türkiye’s cooperative system is opening up a notable channel for Vietnamese businesses seeking sources of agricultural products, food and raw materials.

According to EU cooperative expert Erdem Ak, cooperatives in Türkiye do not merely perform social functions but also operate as economic enterprises, engaging in activities ranging from production and finance to marketing, trade and exports. This model helps bring together small-scale producers, standardize quality, ensure stable supply and improve access to markets.

Notably, agricultural cooperatives have direct links with the food industry, supplying raw materials from crop cultivation, livestock production and concentrated production areas. When organized on a large scale, cooperatives can provide stable, standardized supplies with traceability.

This is a channel that Vietnamese businesses can explore when seeking partners in Türkiye, particularly in agricultural products, processed foods, food ingredients and beverages.

The Trade Office recommends that Vietnamese businesses in the agriculture and food sectors proactively study the cooperative system in each locality and consider it an additional channel for accessing raw materials, processing partners and distribution networks in Türkiye.

However, businesses need to carefully assess the actual capacity of each cooperative, as not every cooperative has sufficient capacity to directly conduct international import-export activities.

When selecting partners, businesses should focus on four groups of criteria: legal status and financial capacity; supply capacity; quality standards and traceability; and capacity to conduct international transactions.

For commercial contracts, it is necessary to clearly stipulate product standards, quantities, quality inspection methods, delivery terms (Incoterms), documentation, customs clearance responsibilities, payment methods and dispute settlement mechanisms.

In particular, for high-value transactions, businesses should verify the partner’s bank account and the identity of the person authorized to sign the contract.

Another issue requiring particular attention is food safety. In Türkiye, food safety controls are implemented throughout the entire process, from pre-production to post-production, covering seeds, fertilizers, animal feed, production processes, packaging, storage and traceability.

Therefore, when seeking suppliers and partners in Türkiye, Vietnamese businesses should not only consider prices and output but also comprehensively assess quality control systems and the ability to meet traceability requirements. This will provide an important basis for minimizing risks and building stable, long-term cooperation.

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