VIỆT NAM’S AGRICULTURE POSTS STEADY 8-MONTH GROWTH DESPITE SOME EXPORT HURDLES

Việt Nam’s agriculture sector is on track for a strong performance in 2025, with export turnover in the first eight months estimated at US$45.37 billion, up 12 per cent year-on-year.

Packaging pomelos at Kim Thanh fruit export plant in Vĩnh Long Province. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s agriculture sector is cultivating a strong performance in 2025, with export turnover for the first eight months estimated at US$45.37 billion, up 12 per cent year-on-year, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phùng Đức Tiến reported.

The trade surplus reached $13.07 billion, marking a 10 per cent increase.

“If favourable conditions hold, total agricultural exports could hit $65 billion this year,” Tiến said at the ministry’s meeting on Thursday.

While some seafood products face challenges in the US market, exports of fruit, vegetables and other key items remain stable. By the end of July, the sector’s trade surplus had exceeded $10 billion, with crop exports alone earning $11.52 billion.

August export turnover was estimated at $5.71 billion, down 3 per cent compared with the same period last year. Yet cumulative figures for January to August showed robust growth, with farm produce earning $24.42 billion (up 13.8 per cent), livestock products $410.7 million (up 24.5 per cent), seafood $7.03 billion (up 11.5 per cent) and forestry products $11.9 billion (up 6.6 per cent).

The United States, China and Japan continued to be the top three destinations, accounting for 20.9 per cent, 19 per cent and 7.1 per cent respectively. Notably, exports to the US rose 8.1 per cent, to China 2.6 per cent and to Japan 19.8 per cent.

Coffee exports saw remarkable gains. In August alone, Việt Nam shipped 95,000 tonnes worth $429.1 million. The eight-month volume reached 1.2 million tonnes with a record $6.42 billion, up 8.7 per cent in quantity and 59.1 per cent in value.

The average export price climbed 46.4 per cent to $5,580 per tonne. Germany, Italy and Spain were the largest importers, with Germany doubling purchases, Italy up 51.5 per cent and Spain 60.8 per cent.

Rubber exports reached 210,000 tonnes in August, valued at $318.4 million. Over eight months, shipments totalled 1.1 million tonnes, earning $1.94 billion. While volume slipped 1.2 per cent, value rose 10.2 per cent thanks to higher prices. China dominated with 70 per cent of the market share.

Rice exports hit 770,000 tonnes in August, worth $344.1 million. Cumulative exports reached 6.3 million tonnes, valued at $3.17 billion, up 2.2 per cent in volume but down 17.5 per cent in value as average prices fell 19.3 per cent.

The Philippines remained the top buyer with 42.4 per cent, though down 15.6 per cent. Meanwhile, Ghana increased imports by 44.4 per cent, Côte d’Ivoire by 89 per cent and Bangladesh by 188.4 times.

Fruit and vegetable exports in August stood at $750 million, bringing the eight-month total to $4.62 billion, down 2.2 per cent. China accounted for more than half but fell 15.1 per cent, while shipments to the US surged 66.3 per cent.

Seafood exports totalled $950 million in August, pushing the cumulative figure to $7.03 billion, up 11.5 per cent. China, the US and Japan made up nearly half of the market share.

Wood and wood products brought in $1.45 billion in August, lifting the total for eight months to $11.1 billion, up 6.3 per cent. The US remained the largest buyer, while Japan rose 24.3 per cent and Spain grew 37.4 per cent.

Deputy Minister Tiến said strong leadership and upcoming legal reforms, including changes to the Land and Bankruptcy laws, will support enterprises and farmers.

He stressed that agriculture will remain strategic for sustainable growth, with 2025 set to meet all targets and prepare for 2026–30, while the ministry focuses on expanding markets, boosting exports and improving support policies. — BIZHUB/VNS

Source: VNS