Surveying and connecting agro-forestry-fishery consumption market in the US

While in California, the delegation led by MARD Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam conducted a series of activities to survey and study the market for Vietnamese associations and enterprises. The main objective was to promote the trade exchange of agro-forestry-fishery products between Vietnam and the US.

On May 12, the Vietnamese delegation and associations paid a visit to H&T Seafood Group. This US-based company possesses a network of supermarkets, wholesale markets, cold storage warehouses, and distribution channels for agricultural, forestry, and fisheries products in Los Angeles city and the state of California.

Results indicated that H&T Seafood Group has committed to collaborate directly with each Vietnamese firm in the delegation to execute contract signing and facilitate the importation of 100 containers of agro-forestry-fishery products.

On May 13, the delegation, associations, and enterprises visited the Vietnamese–American Businessman Association (VABA) in San Francisco. VABA is composed of more than 500 members who operate throughout the US and have over 400 major partners in the distribution and retail markets in the US.

Consequently, the two groups reached an agreement to collaborate and exchange market information yearly. They will also coordinate trade promotion operations and enhance the visibility of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products in both the Vietnamese and American markets.

On May 14, the group, in collaboration with the organization and Vietnamese firms, carried out a working tour and performed a field assessment at the Port of Oakland, California, USA. This port serves as the primary hub for exporting agricultural and fishery products from Vietnam to the United States.

The delegation also visited and collaborated with the Vietnam Town Trade Center in Silicon Valley, situated in the northern region of California, which serves as a hub for numerous wholesale markets, supermarkets, and retail businesses specializing in agricultural and fishery products for the Vietnamese community.

By engaging in these activities, associations and firms from both sides could quickly understand market preferences and wants. They also established connections for distributing agricultural and fishery products from Vietnam to wholesale markets and retail grocery channels in that region.

The parties reached an agreement to give priority to the organization of a delegation consisting of businesses and representatives from the Port of Oakland to visit and collaborate with Vietnam towards the end of the year.

The main focus of this collaboration will be on enhancing cooperation in transportation services, cold storage, preservation, and distribution. The objective is to facilitate the export and import activities of Vietnamese agricultural and fishery products through the Port of Oakland to California.