Hanoi (VNA) - Solutions to fully tap opportunities and overcome global market challenges to boost agro-forestry-fishery exports in 2025 were discussed at a recent conference organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
The sector has set a growth target of over 4%, with export revenue expected to reach 65 –70 billion USD in 2025.
According to Tran Duc Thang, Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment, despite regional and global uncertainties, the sector remained a key pillar of the economy, achieving comprehensive results.
One of the major current challenges, he noted, is the US’s 20% reciprocal tariff imposed on many agricultural, forestry, and fishery products.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang noted that as countries diversify supply chains, and food prices fluctuate, the US tariff policy poses challenges but also presents opportunities if Vietnam adapts promptly. She underlined the need to maintain growth momentum in major markets while tapping the European Union’s potential; assessing impacts and proposing responses to US tariffs; and promoting new markets in coordination with high-level activities and inter-agency efforts among the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade, and Agriculture and Environment.
Nguyen Anh Son, Director of the Agency of Foreign Trade (AFT), said the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is ramping up efforts to curb smuggling, and trade and origin fraud, while reinforcing trade defence measures and negotiating market access with new partners such as the Gulf region, Halal markets, and Egypt to broaden export opportunities for Vietnamese farm products.
Bui Ba Bong, Chairman of the Vietnam Rice Industry Association (VIETRISA), introduced the project “Sustainable Development of One Million Hectares of High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice Associated with Green Growth in the Mekong Delta." However, he noted that the development of raw material zones requires the participation of farmers through cooperatives, supported by local authorities and agricultural extension systems.
Bong proposed organising the second International Rice Festival in 2026, suggesting that it should be upgraded into a global trade event that that facilitates contract signing and enables farmers to learn from advanced production models.
Reports presented at the event showed that while many rice-exporting countries have seen declining in export volume, Vietnam’s exports rose by 3.1% in volume despite a 19% drop in prices. In 2025, the country is expected to ship about 8.8 million tonnes of rice, maintaining its position as the world’s second-largest rice exporter. Meanwhile, seafood export earnings are hoped to reach 6.22 billion USD, up 17.2% year-on-year.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has outlined key priorities - maintaining traditional markets while expanding into new ones, boosting value-added production through deep processing, diversifying export destinations, enhancing financial and logistical mechanisms, fast-tracking negotiations with the US, promoting high-value products, developing internationally certified raw material zones, and applying advanced technologies in production and packaging.
With decisive leadership from the Party and Government, and active coordination among ministries, localities, and businesses, achieving the 2025 export target of 65 billion USD is entirely attainable, Thang said./.
