Workers processing shrimp for export (Photo: qdnd.vn)
Vietnam is seeking measures to fully tap opportunities and address global market challenges in order to further boost agro-forestry-fishery exports in 2025, officials said at a recent conference organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
The sector has set a growth target of over 4 per cent next year, with export revenue projected to reach between USD 65 billion and USD 70 billion.
Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang said that despite ongoing regional and global uncertainties, the sector continues to serve as a key pillar of the economy, recording comprehensive results in production and exports.
One major challenge, he noted, is the 20 per cent reciprocal tariff recently imposed by the United States on a range of Vietnamese agricultural, forestry, and fishery products.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang said that as countries diversify supply chains and food prices fluctuate, the new US tariff policy presents both challenges and opportunities if Vietnam responds swiftly. She stressed the importance of maintaining growth in major markets while exploring potential in the European Union, assessing the impact of US tariffs, and developing response strategies. She also highlighted the need to expand into new markets through high-level coordination among the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade, and Agriculture and Environment.
Nguyen Anh Son, Director of the Agency of Foreign Trade, said the Ministry of Industry and Trade is intensifying efforts to curb smuggling, trade and origin fraud, and to strengthen trade defence measures. It is also negotiating market access with new partners, including the Gulf region, Halal markets, and Egypt, to open up further opportunities for Vietnamese farm exports.
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.” He emphasised that the success of raw material zone development depends on farmers’ participation through cooperatives, with support from local authorities and agricultural extension services.
He also proposed organising the second International Rice Festival in 2026, suggesting that it be upgraded into a global trade event to promote contract signings and enable farmers to learn from advanced production models.
Reports presented at the event showed that while many rice-exporting countries recorded declines in export volume, Vietnam’s rice exports rose 3.1 per cent in volume despite a 19 per cent fall in prices. In 2025, the country is expected to export around 8.8 million tonnes of rice, maintaining its position as the world’s second-largest rice exporter. Meanwhile, seafood export earnings are projected to reach USD 6.22 billion, up 17.2 per cent year on year.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment outlined several key priorities for 2025: maintaining traditional markets while expanding into new ones, promoting value-added products through deep processing, diversifying export destinations, improving financial and logistics systems, expediting trade negotiations with the United States, developing internationally certified raw material zones, and applying advanced technology in production and packaging.
“With decisive leadership from the Party and Government, and close coordination among ministries, localities, and enterprises, achieving the 2025 export target of USD 65 billion is entirely within reach,” Thang affirmed.