The agricultural sector continues to build on positive momentum, advancing steadily towards the 65 billion USD export target.

Positive development

According to reports at a recent conference, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment said that the gross value added of the agricultural, forestry and fisheries sector in the first quarter of 2025 rose by 3.74%, the highest in years and surpassing the government’s assigned target. Specifically, the agricultural sector grew by 3.53%, forestry by 6.67%, and fisheries by 3.98%. The steady growth of these three pillars provides a strong foundation for meeting growth targets for the second quarter, the first half of the year, and the full year.

In terms of exports, agricultural, forestry, and fishery exports in the first four months reached 21.25 billion USD, up 10.7% compared to the same period in 2024. Of this, agricultural exports accounted for 11.6 billion USD (up 11.7%), forestry 5.56 billion USD (up 11.2%), fisheries 3.09 billion USD (up 13.7%), livestock products 178 million USD (up 16.8%), and agricultural inputs 722 million USD (up 20%).

The sector maintained a trade surplus of 5.18 billion USD, slightly down 4.1% year-on-year but still higher than the overall national trade surplus of 5.02 billion USD.

In public investment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has allocated more than 20.786 trillion VND for projects. As of May 5, disbursement had reached 16.3%, exceeding the national average of 15.56%. This reflects the Ministry's strong and consistent leadership in implementing key tasks.

Administrative reform has also achieved tangible results. Functional units processed more than 346,000 dossiers with a completion rate of 97.6%, of which 99.8% were handled on time, demonstrating the increasing efficiency of the public service system.

In terms of organisational structure, the Ministry has completed leadership appointments and issued functions, tasks, and structural frameworks for 30 affiliated units. The new structure reduces administrative units by 24.19% compared to the previous model, promoting streamlined and efficient operations without disrupting production, business activities, or affecting people’s livelihoods.

Despite these positive results, according to Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy, negligence is not allowed amid ongoing global uncertainty, including trade competition, conflicting interests, and market instability.

Domestically, several challenges have emerged, including congestion in quarantine inspections that have stalled durian exports, a product that earned 3.2 billion USD in 2024, but has so far only achieved 20% of the 2025 target. In addition, crop and livestock diseases remain complicated, while prolonged drought and water shortages affect agricultural production in many areas.

Local government restructuring has also impacted project implementation, especially land clearance for irrigation works.

Maintaining momentum, adapting flexibly to new challenges

The agricultural sector has outlined several key tasks to maintain its growth momentum and proactively respond to emerging challenges.

The agricultural and environmental sector strives to meet its growth, export, and import targets for 2025. Institutional development is being accelerated, focusing on finalising legal documents that support the two-tier local government model, ensuring completion before June 30, 2025.

At the same time, the Ministry is pushing ahead with the implementation of Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, and Resolution 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new era.

In particular, in the context of the US applying countervailing duties on imported Vietnamese goods, the Ministry will closely monitor developments, promptly propose response measures, and thoroughly prepare for the Government’s negotiating delegation.

Additionally, implementation of Resolution No. 66/NQ-CP on streamlining administrative procedures related to production and business continues to be rigorously pursued, creating favourable conditions for enterprises and the public.

The agricultural sector is now entering an acceleration phase, with high determination and concrete, flexible, and practical measures aimed at achieving its major goals for 2025 and the full term.