With the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) coming into effect, several Vietnamese agricultural products exported to the Netherlands have witnessed a sharp increase, according to figures released by the General Department of Vietnam Customs. 

The department revealed that two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and the Netherlands during the opening 11 months of last year declined by 0.14% to US$6.85 billion against the same period from 2019. Of the total, Vietnamese exports rose by 0.3% to US$6.27 billion.

Notably, the export of agricultural products, including seafood, pepper, rubber, and rice to the Dutch market enjoyed significant increases of 20.2%, 20.9%, 11.9%, and 83.7%, respectively.

Vu Ba Phu, director general of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade), said there remains bright prospects ahead for fruit and vegetable exports to the demanding market which is considered a gateway to the EU market.

Moreover, the EVFTA is anticipated to create a wealth of opportunities for both Vietnamese and Dutch businesses to foster cooperation.

Nguyen Hai Tinh, Vietnamese trade counselor to the Netherlands, noted that the European nation makes up the largest consumer of Vietnamese fruit and vegetables in the EU. Currently, more than 20% of fresh fruit and vegetables are imported from developing countries into the EU through the Dutch gateway.

Experts have therefore underscored the importance of strengthening links between production stages and phases in the supply chain, such as in post-harvest and logistics, in an effort to bolster the export of agricultural products.

To promote the export of agricultural products to the EU market in general and the Dutch market specifically, experts have advised local firms to grasp information relating to market demand and local consumer tastes. These efforts should be made along with attending international trade fairs to seek partners and expand markets, in addition to raising awareness about tightening management over food safety and hazards throughout the production chain.

Alongside optimising opportunities from the EVFTA, participation in the online trade exchanges between both countries is expected to create opportunities for businesses to make inroads into the demanding market, therefore increasing the export turnover of agricultural products to the Netherlands.