The country earned 1.72 billion USD from agro-forestry and seafood exports in October, raising its total export turnover in the first ten months of this year to 15.6 billion USD, a year-on-year increase of nearly 23 percent, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Of this, agricultural products made 7.89 billion USD, up 18 percent.

Rice continued as Vietnam ’s main export with 5.66 million tonnes shipped overseas for 2.63 billion USD, double last year’s amount. The Philippines remains Vietnam ’s main destination for rice exports, contributing up to 38 percent of all total earnings.

Coffee ranked second with 973,000 tonnes and a value of 1.4 billion USD, a 1.6 percent increase in volume, but a 0.71 percent drop in value.

Rubber exports rose by nearly 7.7 percent in volume but saw a 92 percent growth in value compared to the same period last year. In the first ten months, Vietnam exported 603,000 tonnes of rubber, earning 1.67 billion USD. China was Vietnam ’s biggest importer of rubber, making up nearly 59 percent of the country’s total export value.

The country also exported 113,000 tones of tea for 162 million USD, a rise of nearly 11 percent year-on-year. Pakistan was the largest importer of Vietnamese tea, followed by Taiwan and Russia .

Vietnam is now the world’s fifth largest tea producer and exports to 110 different countries and territories.

The country remains the leading global cashew nut exporter as the country exported 160,000 tonnes, worth 888 million USD. This is up by over 9 percent in volume and nearly 30 percent in value. Vietnamese cashew nuts were shipped to 50 countries and territories worldwide with the US , China and European countries being the largest customers.

Pepper dropped by 10 percent in volume but the export value rose by nearly 22 percent over last year with 106,000 tonnes making 359 million USD. The US remains Vietnam ’s largest market.

Forestry and wooden products recorded an export turnover of 2.9 billion USD of which timber earned 2.73 billion USD, a year-on-year of 35 percent.

Seafood continued to hold its position in particular markets despite natural disasters and anti-dumping lawsuits. The country earned 3.98 billion USD with the US making up nearly 19 percent and Japan , 18 percent.

In the reviewed period, Vietnam imported 10.4 billion USD worth of materials for agricultural production, up 39 percent year-on-year. However, the agricultural sector still recorded a trade surplus of 5 billion USD./.