The project "Forest Foods - Organic Natural Sweeteners" is not just a success story of innovative entrepreneurship but also a dedicated journey of Mr. Pham Thanh Hoang and his team in creating a delicious product that brings value to health and the environment.
Third Prize of Danang Innovation Startup Competition 2023 (within the framework of Danang Innovation Startup Festival - SURF 2023)
Entrepreneurial Journey from Simple Things
Engaging in volunteer trips to the mountainous regions of Quang Nam, Mr. Pham Thanh Hoang, the Director of West Highlands Forest Food Company (Da Nang City), shares: “With each volunteer trip to Tay Giang (Quang Nam), the Co Tu people offered Tr'Din liquor, also known as Sky liquor (as it is not boiled and distilled from yeast with rice as we usually see). Tr’Đin, also known as Đủng Đỉnh Núi tree, not only produces natural sweet products but also holds high medicinal value. This is the serendipity after years of research, experimentation, leading to the creation of the Tr'Din Syrup product.”
The Natural Sweetener industry is undergoing a significant global development phase, driven by increased awareness of health and the growing consumer demand. Forest Foods responds to this trend by providing a natural sugar alternative that stabilizes blood sugar and reduces calorie consumption. Forest Food's organic natural sweetener is safe for everyone, including infants, people with diabetes, those on a diet, and those struggling with obesity.
Tr'Din Syrup products at SURF 2023
Forest Foods' Tr'Din Syrup is not just a perfect combination of natural sweetness and health benefits but also reflects their commitment to the environment and the community. Transparency throughout the entire production process, from cultivation to harvest, along with the use of Blockchain technology, ensures the origin and quality of the product. This contributes to building trust among consumers, meeting the increasing demand for safe and transparent products.
The project already has prototype products and a valid patent approval. The upcoming market development plan, from now until 2024, focuses on small channels (retail, online sales, etc.), refining production activities and supply chains, building a website and social networks, and small-scale marketing. In the following period from 2025-2027, the project team aims to expand the scale to larger domestic and international markets. The global natural sweetener market is growing impressively, from USD 4.88 billion in 2021 to USD 5.33 billion in 2022, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The market is expected to rise to USD 6.7 billion by 2026, with a CAGR of 5.9%. This demonstrates the practical significance and enormous potential of the product.
The journey begins with a green forest, aiming towards a carbon-neutral market.
Not content with the development of the Tr'Din Syrup, Forest Foods aims to achieve the Net Zero goal at COP26, increasing forest coverage, regenerating and preserving water sources. This initiative aims to reduce the impact of climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, ecosystem regeneration, and provide a living environment for animals and plants while carbon neutralizing. The strategic partnership agreement between West Highlands Forest Food Joint Stock Company – the lead of the Forest Food project specializing in forest cultivation and livelihood creation for ethnic minorities in the mountainous regions of Quang Nam and Da Nang – and ExCarbon Joint Stock Company, a voluntary carbon credit trading platform. The primary goal of the agreement is to promote activities related to the transfer of emission rights, including carbon credits. Collaborative activities will include consultation, listing, and trading of carbon credits to encourage low emissions and environmental protection.
Signing Ceremony
The content of the signed agreement is a significant step in promoting green solutions and low greenhouse gas initiatives. Through collaboration, both parties contribute to sustainable development and environmental protection, fostering the carbon forest market, and working towards the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Additionally, it encourages people to gradually abandon deforestation practices, actively engage in preserving and protecting the forest ecosystem, and ensure sustainable economic development.
In 2023, the "Forest Foods - Organic Natural Sweetener" project is one of the three outstanding projects participating in the Finc+ 2023 program at the Danang Entrepreneurship Incubator (DNES). After the incubation process, the project participated in the Danang 2023 Innovative Entrepreneurship Startup Competition (as part of the Danang Innovation Startup Festival - SURF 2023) and won the Third Prize. Especially at the global finals of the Social Business Creation (SBC) competition held in Canada in early October 2023, the project surpassed more than 150 projects from over 20 countries and secured the Second Prize.