Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese agro-forestry-fisheries products have secured a strong foothold in over 190 countries and territories worldwide, heard a ceremony in Hanoi on August 30 marking the remarkable 30-year journey of the National Agro-Forestry-Fishery Quality, Processing and Market Development Authority (NAFIQPM).
With export turnover hitting over 53 billion USD in 2023 and a staggering 40.08 billion USD in the first eight months of this year alone, the industry's growth shows no signs of slowing with a steadily rising number of products conquering stringent markets.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan underlined the critical role of people - the key players in the ecosystem of food production, processing, and distribution.
He tasked the NAFIQPM with prioritiaing hygiene, safety, and quality throughout the supply chain.
NAFIQPM Director Nguyen Nhu Tiep said right after its establishment, the agency quickly developed a network with a Hanoi hub and six regional branches located in the key fisheries areas of Hai Phong, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho and Ca Mau, equipped with a full team of inspectors, evaluators, and auditors.
It has also guided the industry in adhering to Codex guidelines - a food safety database jointly developed by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Health Organisation, and the stringent requirements of export markets such as the European Union (EU), the US, and Japan.
As a result, food safety levels skyrocketed from 2016 to 2023, with 99% of establishments now meeting safety conditions (up from 91%), small-scale producers committing to food safety jumped from 72% to 92%, while food safety samples meeting standards in widespread monitoring improved from 92.4% to 97.4%.
NAFIQPM's close collaboration with the Ministries of Industry and Trade, and Foreign Affairs, and Vietnamese trade counselors abroad has also been instrumental in expanding export opportunities. By staying informed on market trends and proactively negotiating market access, NAFIQPM has bolstered the global presence of Vietnamese agricultural products.
Looking ahead, Tiep outlined NAFIQPM's focus on four key pillars, including ensuring food safety and enhancing product quality, boosting processing activities within each supply chain, actively negotiating market access and expansion, promoting brand development and strengthening communication to increase market presence both domestically and internationally./.
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