To achieve the growth target, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien emphasized the need to prioritize scientific and technological solutions in deep processing to enhance the value of agricultural products.

Vietnamese farm produce has recently faced huge challenges due to the global trade war and stricter regulations imposed by key export markets.

China, for instance, has tightened quarantine requirements for durian, while the EU has issued warnings regarding Vietnamese agricultural and food exports.

Regarding new regulations from importers, Le Thanh Hoa, director of the Vietnam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point (SPS Vietnam), highlighted the importance of raising awareness among producers about EU standards to ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, and disease control regulations.

To meet these requirements, local enterprises must not only gain a deeper understanding of export procedures, product labeling, food safety certifications, and packaging standards but also closely monitor supply chains, raw material sources, and logistics operations. This will help ensure compliance with hygiene, epidemiological, and quarantine measures for animals and plants.

Hoa noted that the EU market accounts for nearly 12% of Vietnam's agro-forestry-aquatic export turnover, which reached US$65.2 billion. He emphasized that the sector must ensure stability by adapting to regulations.

Minister Tien further stressed that warnings from importers directly impact the reputation and brand value of Vietnamese agricultural products. He urged businesses to enhance their awareness of regulatory and technical standards as part of a long-term development strategy.

He also underscored the need to reduce reliance on any single market and seize opportunities in emerging markets amid global uncertainties.

To achieve the Government's export target of US$70 billion and 4% growth, the agricultural sector must continue improving product quality, diversifying markets, and responding flexibly to international market fluctuations.