The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the participants in an agricultural trade mission to Ho Chi Minh City from November 9 to 12, led by Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Alexander Vaden.
Walnuts from the US are displayed at a food industry exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City in May (Photo: Nam Binh).
According to the USDA, this is the largest trade mission ever sent to Vietnam by its Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
The delegation comprises 43 US companies, 37 agricultural trade and industry organisations, and representatives from the agriculture departments of California, Kansas and Wisconsin.
The visit aims to connect US exporters directly with Vietnamese buyers, importers and distributors, helping American businesses explore opportunities in one of Asia's most dynamic and fast-growing markets.
Vaden said Vietnam was already one of the largest export markets for US agricultural products, with considerable room for further growth.
Bringing American businesses and industry representatives together with Vietnamese partners in person would help establish long-term trade relationships, benefiting US farmers, ranchers and producers as well as consumers in overseas markets, he said. The initiative would also contribute to strengthening diversified global supply chains.
The expansion of the retail system and food processing industry is creating more opportunities for US fruit, dairy products, meat and specialty foods (Photo: Nam Binh).
US agricultural exports to Vietnam approach USD 5.6 billion
According to USDA figures, Vietnam was the seventh-largest export market for US agricultural and related products in 2025, importing nearly USD 5.6 billion worth of goods. US agricultural exports to Vietnam increased by 38 per cent from 2024.
The USDA said strong Vietnamese demand for US cotton, soybeans and animal feed ingredients was supporting the country's manufacturing and livestock industries.
The expansion of Vietnam's biofuel market and its ethanol blending requirements also presents new opportunities for American corn growers and ethanol producers, the agency said. It expects these sectors to help drive demand for US agricultural products in the coming years.
During the visit, delegates will take part in business-to-business (B2B) meetings, market briefings, field visits and product promotion events.
The activities are designed to introduce American products to Vietnamese consumers while strengthening existing trade relationships.
The delegation includes companies and organisations operating across the agricultural commodities, food and food-processing ingredients sectors.
The trade mission is part of broader US efforts to expand agricultural commerce in Southeast Asia, following the Trade Reciprocity for US Manufacturers and Producers (TRUMP) Mission to Vietnam in March.