Hanoi (VNA) –The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) coordinated with theMinistry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) to organise a trade counsellors’ meetingin Hanoi on February 8, discussing ways to enhance the export of agriculturalproducts.

The agricultural sector targets a growth rate ofabout 3 percent and export revenue of 40 billion USD in 2018.

Tran Van Cong, Deputy Director of the MARD’sAgro Processing and Market Development Authority, said agricultural tradepromotion is facing numerous difficulties as many countries like the US, China,Japan and the EU have increased protecting domestic agriculture. Their qualityand food safety standards have become stricter.

As a result, it takes more time, five to sevenyears in average, for Vietnam to negotiate with other countries to open marketsfor its farm produce.

He said in 2018, the agricultural sector willwork to enhance the market analysis and forecast capacity, ensure smoothconsumption of farm produce, and increase marketing key Vietnamese products inbig and potential markets. It will also tighten links with domestic and foreignagricultural businesses, remove technical barriers, and solve paymentdifficulties in export to Africa and the Middle East.

[Infographics: Agro-forestry-fisheries export up 26 per🐼cent in January]

MARD Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong emphasised thatas Vietnam’s agricultural production has surpassed demand, an important task ismaximising global markets and producing farm produce with the best quality.

Trade Counsellor in Japan Ta Duc Minh said Japanhighly values many agricultural products of Vietnam, particularly mangoes andbananas. The shipment of the first chicken meat batches to Japan also provedthat the country’s agricultural products have satisfied this demanding market.

However, he noted, export prices are still high,especially fruit since they are rotten easily and shipment cost is not low. Heasked for solutions to reduce shipment cost in order to boost Vietnameseproducts’ competitiveness.

Meanwhile, Trade Counsellor in Australia NguyenHoang Thuy said the opening of the Australian market is long and full ofdifficulties. For example, it takes up to 12 years for lychees to enter thismarket. Therefore, it is necessary to shorten negotiation duration.

She stressed the need for better coordinationbetween the MARD and the trade office to promote negotiations.

At the meeting, Minister Cuong also asked tradecounsellors to not only promote trade but also provide more information on technology,culture and market trends which are crucial for the agricultural sector toexpand markets.-VNA