Agricultural products play key role in exports in the first four months of the year

According to the May 6 morning report by the General Statistics Office (Ministry of Finance), Vietnam’s merchandise exports in the first four months of 2025 recorded a strong recovery, reaching a total export turnover of USD 123.64 billion, up 15.0% compared to the same period in 2024.

Of this, the foreign-invested sector continued to play a leading role with an export value of USD 88.64 billion (up 16.1%), while the domestic economic sector reached USD 35 billion (up 12.5%).

Processed industrial goods continued to account for a large proportion of the total and played a leading role in driving export growth. However, notably, the agricultural, forestry, and fishery products group also showed positive signs of recovery, significantly contributing to overall results.

Specifically, seafood export turnover reached approximately USD 3.5 billion, up 6.2% compared to the same period last year. This is a positive outcome given the industry has just gone through a difficult period due to high input costs and technical barriers imposed by several major markets.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), enterprises have tried improving product quality to meet increasingly stringent requirements from major markets such as the United States, Japan, and the EU.

As for rice, amid growing global demand due to concerns over food security, Vietnam has effectively leveraged its strengths in quality and supply chain management.

According to estimates from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam’s rice export turnover in the first four months of the year is expected to exceed USD 1.6 billion, representing an increase of approximately 40% in value compared to the same period last year. Export rice prices have also remained consistently high, contributing to added value for farmers and enterprises across the supply chain.

The fruit and vegetable sector has also shown promising signs of growth. Thanks to the expansion into high-potential markets such as China, South Korea, and ASEAN countries, fruit and vegetable exports are estimated to have reached nearly USD 1.5 billion in the first four months of 2025 - a substantial increase over the same period in the previous year.

Improvements in post-harvest preservation, increased investment in preliminary processing technologies, and the development of cultivation areas that meet GAP standards are providing a solid foundation for this sector's sustained growth.

Meanwhile, wood and wood products also recorded positive results, with export revenue reaching USD 5.8 billion, an increase of 7.9%. Following a sharp decline in 2023 due to global market weakness, wood product manufacturers have seen a recovery in orders from major markets such as the United States and Europe. At the same time, they have been actively expanding into domestic and regional markets.

The United States remains Vietnam's largest export market, with a turnover of USD 34.2 billion in the first four months of the year, reflecting a 14.2% increase. China follows closely behind, reaching USD 20.5 billion, a 16.7% growth, indicating a recovery in import demand from its neighboring country. Among these, China continues to be a key market for Vietnam's agricultural products, especially rice, durian, bananas, passion fruit, and seafood.

The European Union recorded an export turnover of USD 18.3 billion (up 13.9%), ASEAN reached USD 12.7 billion (up 11.5%), South Korea achieved USD 9.8 billion (up 10.2%), and Japan saw USD 8.9 billion (up 9.4%). The effective utilization of trade agreements such as EVFTA, RCEP, and CPTPP has been identified as a crucial factor enabling Vietnam to expand its market share amidst global trade competition.

While export growth is a bright spot for the economy, experts warn of several risks ahead, including the rise of trade protectionism, exchange rate fluctuations, and the increasing costs of logistics. For agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, ensuring product quality, traceability, and compliance with SPS regulations from importing markets will be essential to sustain growth in the long term.

In the long run, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment advises that Vietnam’s agricultural exports must align with digital transformation, smart agriculture, and sustainable development. This approach will not only contribute to growth in volume but also significantly improve the quality. This will also gradually enhance the standing of Vietnamese agricultural products on the global market.