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This was the assessment of experts at the 2025 Agro-Forestry-Fishery Export Promotion Conference, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in Ho Chi Minh City on August 12.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam reported that, despite global political instability and slowing economic growth, Vietnam’s agro-forestry-fishery exports in the first seven months still managed to accelerate, reaching over USD 39.7 billion in value, up 14.7% compared to the same period in 2024.

Of the total, agricultural exports reached 21.5 billion USD (up 17%), forestry products 10.4 billion USD (up 8.6%), aquatic products 6.1 billion USD (up 13.8%), and livestock products reached 339.2 million USD (up 22.1%). The three major export markets, the United States, China, and Japan, all maintained growth, despite many difficulties. In addition, exports to Europe surged 49% to USD 4.3 billion, while shipments to the Middle East rose 10.9% and to Africa 8.9%.

Agro-forestry-fishery exports in Vietnam experienced positive growth, with many bright spots, in the first seven months of the year. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

According to the Deputy Minister, these results were achieved thanks to the proactive and agile efforts of industry associations and businesses in maintaining and expanding exports of key products to all markets, including processed livestock products, despite their still modest export value. They also accelerated the fulfillment of orders for advantageous product groups such as wood and wood products, seafood, coffee, pepper, and cashew nuts to traditional markets like the United States, the EU, and Japan. At the same time, they redirected exports of certain products facing difficulties in traditional markets, such as rice, fruits, and vegetables, toward potential markets in Africa and the Middle East.

“Given the unpredictable developments in the global market, it is the right and effective approach for businesses to proactively accelerate the execution of signed export contracts to the United States during the reciprocal tariff grace period, while actively seeking and shifting to other export markets and further strengthening traditional potential markets such as China and the EU,” Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam emphasized.

Do Ha Nam, Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association, reported that in the first seven months, Vietnam exported 5.5 million tonnes of rice, earning USD 2.8 billion. While many rice-exporting countries have seen declines, Vietnam’s rice exports still rose 3.1% in volume despite a 19% drop in price due to lower global export prices. For the whole of 2025, Vietnam’s rice exports are expected to reach around 8.8 million tonnes, maintaining its position as the world’s second-largest rice exporter, after India.

Meanwhile, the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association reported that in the 2024–2025 coffee crop year, coffee prices hit a record high, at times reaching USD 5,850 per tonne. In the first seven months of this year, Vietnam exported 1.1 million tonnes of coffee, up 66% year-on-year. Europe remains the largest consumer of Vietnamese coffee, importing 670,000 tonnes worth USD 3.6 billion, while Asia accounts for 20.7% and the Americas about 4.7% of total exports.

At present, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable trade with the U.S. still records a trade deficit, with imports in 2024 valued at USD 560 million, while exports reached only USD 360 million. (Photo: Nongnghiepmoitruong)

Regarding the seafood sector, To Thi Tuong Lan, Deputy Secretary-General of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), reported that seafood exports reached USD 6.22 billion in the first seven months, up 17.2% from the same period in 2024. This is a highly positive result given the continuous fluctuations in the global market. The strong recovery of the Chinese, ASEAN, and Japanese markets, along with signs of the EU easing technical barriers, is creating room for growth in Vietnam’s deeply processed seafood products.

Besides advantages, Vietnam's agricultural, forestry, and fishery production and export still face many challenges, especially the reciprocal tax from the United States that will take effect from August 2025. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, noted that the United States currently accounts for 8.42% of Vietnam’s total fruit and vegetable export value and is among the fastest-growing markets. However, most Vietnamese fruits exported to the U.S. still primarily serve the Vietnamese and Asian communities, with access to local consumers remaining challenging. In addition, the newly imposed 20% reciprocal tariff will pose a major challenge in the coming period.

The Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association proposed solutions to address these challenges, including detailed negotiations to reduce tariffs on fruit and vegetable products to 0%, as these are items of purely Vietnamese origin. He stressed that Vietnamese fruits and vegetables do not directly compete with those produced in the United States. At present, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable trade with the U.S. still records a trade deficit, with imports in 2024 valued at USD 560 million, while exports reached only USD 360 million.

In the long term, fruit and vegetable exporters need to invest in diversifying convenient processed products that remain healthy, catering to the needs and preferences of local consumers. This also presents a significant market opportunity for Vietnam’s processed fruit and vegetable sector, helping to save considerable transportation costs, reduce spoilage rates, extend shelf life, and increase value.

Meanwhile, Nong Duc Lai, Vietnam’s Trade Counsellor in China, noted that China is increasingly opening its market to more countries to diversify its supply sources, creating a good opportunity for Vietnam to further promote agricultural exports. However, the country is also tightening control and supervision over imports regarding quality standards, food safety, and traceability. This is an issue that Vietnam’s export sectors must pay particular attention to to avoid the risks of warnings, shipment returns, or export suspensions.

Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang emphasized that despite many challenges, agro-forestry-fishery exports have consistently remained a pillar of the sector’s growth, contributing positively to the country’s overall export performance. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is determined to achieve sectoral growth of over 4%, with agro-forestry-fishery export value surpassing USD 65 billion and striving to reach USD 70 billion in 2025.

Tran Duc Thang noted that this is a period of both challenges and opportunities. With the concerted efforts of all parties, boosting agro-forestry-fishery exports is entirely feasible, as there remains substantial growth potential. To promptly support the business community and export sectors, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work closely together to organize effective trade promotion conferences tailored to specific regions and markets.

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