Agro-forestry-fishery trade surplus approximates 5.2 billion USD in four months. Workers process fish for export. (Source: VNA)

Exports reached 21.15 billion USD while imports stood at 15.97 billion USD during the period, reported Tran Gia Long, Deputy Director of the ministry’s Planning and Finance Department.

In April alone, export revenue rose 5.4% to 5.47 billion USD. By category, agricultural products brought home 3.1 billion USD (up 11.6%), forestry products 1.36 billion USD (down 6.6%), fisheries 774 million USD (down 0.2%), and livestock 50.2 million USD (up 20%).

Over four months, all major export groups grew to total of 21.15 billion USD, increasing by 10.7%. That consisted of 11.6 billion USD in agricultural products (up 11.7%), 5.56 billion USD in forestry products (up 11.2%), 3.09 billion USD in aquatic products (up 13.7%), and 178 million USD in livestock products (up 16.8%).

Six commodities recorded more than 1 billion USD in value, led by wood and wood products at 5.2 billion USD (up 5.8%), coffee at 3.78 billion USD (up 51.1%), and shrimp at 1.24 billion USD (up 28.4%). By contrast, rice exports fell 14.3% to 1.75 billion USD while fruit and vegetable shipments declined 14.2% to 1.62 billion USD.

By region, exports to the Americas reached 4.83 billion USD (up 12.6%), Europe 3.48 billion USD (up 37.7%), and Africa 648 million USD (up 78.4%). Shipments to Asia fell 1.3% to 8.82 billion USD, and to Oceania down 2.6% to 263 million USD. The US, China and Japan remain Vietnam's top three markets of agro-forestry-fishery products.

The MoAE said it is working with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and other agencies to refine policies and roll out measures to boost trade, including drafting e‑commerce regulations and detailing rules of origin under the Foreign Trade Management Law.

It is also organising trade missions to the UK and Germany, guiding production planning, expediting shipments, and addressing food‑safety incidents, shipment warnings and technical barriers in import markets.