Hanoi (VNA) - Among the world’s top exporters of various agricultural products, Vietnam is now setting its sights on breaking new export records while affirming its brand in the global marketplace with sustainable farming.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions over the past five years, Vietnam’s agricultural sector has not only sustained growth but also expanded its global reach, meeting the rigorous standards of international partners.
Deputy Director of the MAE’s Department of International Cooperation Vu Duc Dam Quang said that the country’s agro-forestry-fishery trade value has increased steadily since 2020, placing it among the world’s top 15 agricultural exporters with markets spanning over 200 countries and territories. Last year alone, Vietnam’s agricultural, forestry, and fishery exports hit a record high of 62.6 billion USD, generating a trade surplus of 17.7 billion USD, including seven export groups earning over 3 billion USD each and 11 others surpassing the 1 billion USD mark.
Quang attributed the success to the country’s effective implementation of various free trade agreements, helping its products break into such fastidious markets as the EU and the US. He also highlighted more exports have met stringent requirements on quality and sustainability.
Along with expanding markets, Vietnam is actively addressing trade barriers and adapting to new partner requirements, including the EU’s deforestation regulation, and the US Section 301 on timber and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). He said this is the opportunity to build a more transparent, responsible, and sustainable agriculture.
Vietnam has also become an attractive destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in agriculture, with more than 500 active projects worth nearly 4 billion USD. Counting processing and service-related ventures, total investment exceeds 20 billion USD, placing Vietnam among the world’s top recipients of agricultural FDI.
Building on this foundation, the ministry has partnered with stakeholders to establish public – private partnerships in key sectors like coffee, rice, pepper, and aquatic products to promote value chain linkages. The move will help Vietnam build its agricultural brands known for green, clean, and sustainable standards on the global stage.
Complementing these partnerships, initiatives such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) are gradually transforming production and business practices, linking corporate responsibility to the entire product lifecycle from design and production to consumption, recovery, and recycling. Furthermore, carbon credit exchange projects in agriculture are opening up a new green economy market. Reducing emissions from rice production, livestock farming, and reforestation not only brings Vietnam closer to its net zero target by 2050 but also generates revenue to reinvest in farmers and local communities.
With the support of international experts, Vietnam is increasingly recognised as a model of sustainable development through initiatives on transparent, responsible, and sustainable food system, emissions reduction through afforestation and effective land use, climate change response, and biodiversity conservation.
Expressing his optimism on the sector’s growth, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien said that in the first nine months of 2025, Vietnam’s agro-forestry-fishery trade surplus reached 15.93 billion USD, up 17.6% against the same time last year.
For the remainder of 2025, if monthly exports maintain a rate of 5 billion USD, agricultural exports will reach 67 billion USD, a new record. If monthly exports achieve 6 billion USD, the sector will break the 2024 record and reach the 70 billion USD milestone, he stated.
The MAE is working closely with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and localities to expand markets, promote shipments via official channels, while intensifying trade promotion programmes in Quarter 4 towards further achievements in the coming time./.
