Potential establishment of agri-trade task force between Vietnam and Singapore

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien recognized the robust agricultural trade relationship between Vietnam and Singapore during the meeting. Vietnam exports seafood, processed seafood products, and animal products to Singapore, while Singapore exports a variety of animal feed additives, microbial products, and seafood to Vietnam.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development perceives substantial potential to enhance agricultural trade between the two nations in light of the present circumstances.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien underscored the desire to forge a comprehensive and strategic partnership with Singapore in agriculture, citing Vietnam's agricultural accomplishments, notably its trade surplus of USD 17.9 billion in recent years. 

Ambassador Jaya Ratnam of Singapore observed that 2025 will be a year of significant events between the two countries, including the planned visits of Vietnamese and Singaporean leaders. Vietnam and Singapore intend to enhance their cooperation in a variety of sectors, with a particular emphasis on agricultural security, in order to enhance their bilateral relations. 

At present, Vietnam is an essential supplier of agricultural and culinary products to Singapore. Vietnam is the fifth-largest seafood supplier to Singapore, as per the Vietnam Tourism Office in Singapore. Furthermore, the Singaporean market relies on Vietnam as a significant supplier of rice, melons, and vegetables. 

The Ambassador recounted his recent visit to Ca Mau, during which he discovered the province's enthusiasm for exporting seafood to Singapore, particularly shrimp and crab. 

Ambassador Jaya Ratnam expressed her optimism that Singapore will be able to accept a greater number of Vietnamese agricultural products as a result of these visits. 

The Food Agency of Singapore is also actively engaged in the process of recognizing Vietnam's poultry and egg products for export. Throughout this procedure, Singapore has implemented a phased approach. Initially, the agency will engage with farms and facilities that are already equipped to foster mutual understanding and trust. Subsequently, the agency will gradually expand to include additional farms and products. This methodology will permit the approval of heat-processed products in the initial phase, eggs in the subsequent phase, and frozen poultry in the final phase. 

The Ambassador confirmed that the two nations are making progress in their collaboration to enhance food security. 

Singapore's Food Agency, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has conducted two visits to the provinces of Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, and Ha Nam within the past year. Consequently, C.P. Company in Binh Phuoc has satisfied the requirements for the export of heat-processed poultry to Singapore and is presently in the final stages of approval. In the second phase, Singapore is also investigating the possibility of collaborating with additional farms to import eggs. 

Additionally, Singaporean organizations are enthusiastic about exporting culinary products to Vietnam. The Ambassador expressed his satisfaction with the fact that companies have been able to surmount technical obstacles in the export process and expressed his expectation that both parties will continue to collaborate actively to finalize certifications for market access. 

Ambassador Jaya Ratnam anticipates the establishment of a Vietnam-Singapore agrifood trade task force, acknowledging the significance of long-term collaboration. Singapore has designated its Food Agency as the focal point for this initiative and anticipates that Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will designate a corresponding representative. 

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien extended a warm greeting to the Singaporean delegation during their visit to Ca Mau, a hub of seafood production in Vietnam that is renowned for its exceptional shrimp and crab. He also introduced Vietnam's pangasius (tra fish) and enterprises that operate closed-loop agricultural production systems that can satisfy Singapore's market demands, in addition to these products.

Currently, the two countries are cooperating through 18 Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) in 13 provinces and cities, attracting more than USD 21 billion in foreign direct investment and creating over 300,000 jobs. Singapore is also implementing an offshore wind power project in southern Vietnam, aiming to integrate it into the ASEAN power grid in the future, facilitating Vietnam's emergence as a regional renewable energy hub.

In agricultural trade, Singapore, with its large seaport, can serve as a central hub for receiving and distributing Cà Mau's agricultural and seafood products to various countries in the region.