Processing pangasius fillets for export at a factory in Dong Thap province. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The total export turnover of agricultural, forestry and aquaculture productsreached 24.23 billion USD in the first six months of 2021, an increase of 28.2percent compared to the same period of 2020, according to the Ministryof Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
Based on the encouraging outcome and signs of recovery in the worldmarket, the ministry has raised the yearly target for export earnings fromthose products to 45 billion USD, 3 billion VND higher than the amount assignedby the government.
The high export turnover in the first half was attributable to surges inthe export value of several products, such as rubber, tea, pepper bean, cashewnuts, fruit and vegetables, cassava and cassava products, timber and woodproducts. Notably, rubber saw increases of 41.3 percent in export volume and 80percent in value; cashew nut up 22.2 percent in volume and 11.1 percent invalue; timber and wood products up almost 75 percent in value.
Based on the encouraging outcome and signs of recovery in the worldmarket, the ministry has raised the yearly target for export earnings fromthose products to 45 billion USD, 3 billion VND higher than the amount assignedby the government.
The high export turnover in the first half was attributable to surges inthe export value of several products, such as rubber, tea, pepper bean, cashewnuts, fruit and vegetables, cassava and cassava products, timber and woodproducts. Notably, rubber saw increases of 41.3 percent in export volume and 80percent in value; cashew nut up 22.2 percent in volume and 11.1 percent invalue; timber and wood products up almost 75 percent in value.
Regarding the growth of fruit and vegetable exports, Dang Phuc Nguyen,General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association explained that it was buoyed byincreases in shipments to China, which is the main buyer, accounting for 60percent of Vietnam’s total vegetable and fruit exports value. He added thathowever, the growth is still lower compared to pre-COVID-19 period.
The four biggest export markets for Vietnam’s agro-forestry-fishery products in the period are China, theUS, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
In the first half of 2021, Vietnam’s exports to China throughborder gates was under pressure due to the fourth COVID-19 resurgence whichcoincided with the harvest season of several main agriculture produce. Withknowledge and experience gained from the previous outbreaks, ministries,agencies and localities have proactively handled the flow of goods through theborder gates while still ensuring disease prevention measures.
In order to achieve the new goal for the year, theagricultural sector will implement solutions to assist key export products thathave good prospects to increase export value, while striving to make better useof advantages brought by free trade agreements such as the EVFTA, CPTPP to removebarriers and facilitate markets entry.
At the same time, the sector will work to reach markets of economieswith complementary product structures with Vietnam such as Japan, the Republicof Korea, India, the European Union or the Middle East; and select suitableproducts to export to potential markets such as Russia, the Middle East andAfrica.
Nguyen Quoc Toan, Director of the MARD’s Agricultural Products Processingand MarketDevelopment Department, said the ministry is negotiating with countriesto remove trade and technology barriers for Vietnamese agriculture exports.
According to Nguyen Nhu Tiep, head of the National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality AssuranceDepartment, Vietnamese exports will continue to face new obstaclesas the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed up production and logistics costs.Therefore, the ministry will continue to provide information on foreign marketsand immediately handle any arising market problems./.
VNA
