Sweet corn processing line for export, capacity of 4,000 tons per year at Vifoco Company's factory. Photo: TTXVN

Many items set records

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, agricultural, forestry and fishery export turnover in April reached US$5.14 billion, an increase of 19.7 percent compared to April 2023. Specifically, main agricultural product exports were US$2.83 billion (increased 29.2 percent), forestry products were US$1.39 billion (increased 18.6 percent), livestock were US$40.8 million (increased 5.9 percent), and production input were US$157 million (increased 0.5 percent). Seafood alone is US$730 million (down 1.5 percent). Overall, in the first four months, all export commodity groups rose, so export turnover increased, reaching US$19.06 billion.

Of which, coffee exports had the highest growth rate, reaching US$2.5 billion, an increase of more than 54 percent compared to the same period last year. Next is rice, after four months, 3 million tons were exported, with a turnover of US$1.93 billion, up 13.5 percent in volume and 23.7 percent in value compared to the same period last year. Vietnam's rice exports continue to dominate key markets with large consumption demand for output.

According to calculations by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, with the export results of the past four months (the highest in the first four months of the year so far), if the whole year maintains 750 thousand tons/month, the export market space can be up to 9 million tons of rice.

Along with coffee and rice, vegetables and fruits are also agricultural products with impressive growth in the first four months of 2024, with export turnover reaching US$1.8 billion, up 32 percent compared to the same period last year.

According to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, the export prospects of the fruit and vegetable industry in 2024 will continue to have positive developments, especially from the Chinese market. The fruit and vegetable industry is expected to set a new export record this year when for the first time, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports reached and exceeded US$1 billion in the first months of the year. This is an important momentum step that will help this industry reach a new record in export.

The Chinese market continues to be a bright spot

Notably, one of the bright spots of agricultural, forestry and fishery exports in the first four months of the year is that the export value to all markets increased. This year's export value increased by more than 32 percent compared to the same period last year. Of which, exports to Asia increased by 19.8 percent; Americas increased by 24.6 percent; Europe increased by 38.6 percent; Oceania increased by 26 percent and Africa US$332 million, increased by 33.3 percent. Regarding markets, the United States, China and Japan continue to be the three largest import markets for Vietnamese agricultural, forestry and fishery products. Among them, China ranked second, accounting for 18.9 percent of total agricultural, forestry and fishery export turnover, up 15.1 percent compared to the same period in 2023.

General comments on the export situation of agricultural, forestry and fishery products in the first four months of the year, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said that the agricultural sector has had very encouraging growth, in all sectors, especially the outstanding export surplus. In order to continue to maintain good growth momentum in exports, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will continue to handle market issues to create favorable conditions for exporting agricultural and aquatic products, especially to markets: China, the United States, Japan, and the EU; at the same time, open new markets with much potential such as: Halal, Middle East, Africa...; coordinate ministries and branches to support trademark and geographical indication protection for Vietnam's potential export products abroad.

In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is currently promoting promotion programs and supporting businesses to make good use of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), especially the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) promote the export of key agricultural, forestry and fishery products, and support businesses in signing new export orders. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is also coordinating with ministries and branches to support trademark and geographical indication protection for Vietnam's potential export products abroad.

Agricultural, forestry and fishery exports in the second quarter are forecast to be even more exciting than the first quarter, because many agricultural products, especially key vegetables and fruits such as lychee, longan, mango, and dragon fruit, will enter the harvest season. Therefore, businesses are focusing and putting effort into preparing resources, promoting trade, searching for markets, and signing new orders. In the second quarter of this year, the agricultural industry targets growth of 2.9 – 3 percent, exports of about US$14 billion, higher than the results achieved in the first quarter of 2024.