Thanks to making good use of opportunities to increase exports to China and other markets, exports of rice and vegetables have increased dramatically by 34.7% and 64.2% respectively. In particular, the export price of rice reached the highest level in the past 10 years.
HIGHLIGHTS OF RICE AND FRUIT EXPORTS
Assessing the development of the export market of agro-forestry-fishery products, Mr. Nguyen Nhu Tiep – Director of the Department of Quality, Processing, and Market Development (MARD) said that: In addition to the decline in exports of forestry and fishery products at a relatively high level of 28.2% and 27.4%, businesses have made good use of opportunities to increase exports to China and other markets, so rice and vegetable exports have a sudden increase of 34.7% and 64.2%, respectively.
The delegation of the MARD led by Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam was working with Guangxi province (China).
It is forecast that by the end of the year, agricultural exports to the Chinese market will maintain a slight increase as some commodity groups such as vegetables, rice, or cashew nut can keep their growth. Items that declined sharply in the first half of 2023 such as wood, seafood, and cassava may recover slightly in the last three months of the year.
Specifically, according to statistics of the General Department of Customs, in the first half of 2023, rice exports reached more than 4.2 million tons, worth 2.26 billion USD, up over 21% in volume and 32% in value compared to the same period last year.
In June 2023, the export price of rice reached 650 USD/ton on average, up 9.4% compared to May 2023 and 20.8% over the same period last year. Accumulated in six months, the export price of rice is estimated at 539 USD per ton, up more than 10% over the same period in 2022, the highest level in the past 10 years.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Nam, Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association, said the rice demand in some countries will increase in the coming time, but it is unlikely to meet. The output of rice is only 6.5 million tons but so far 4.5 million tons has been exported.
Regarding vegetables and fruits, according to statistics of the General Department of Customs, the export value of vegetables and fruits in June 2023 reached 662.1 million USD, up 0.9% compared to May 2023 and 158.2% compared to June 2022.
In the first six months of 2023, the export value of vegetables and fruits reached 2.7 billion USD, up 60.1% over the same period in 2022.
The Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that fruit and vegetable exports recorded strong growth for the second month in a row thanks to the increase in demand from China. In particular, the protocols signed with this country in 2022 have helped Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable export activities have many advantages.
In the first half of 2023, the export price of rice is estimated at 539 USD per ton, up more than 10% over the same period in 2022, the highest level in the past 10 years.
In 2023, although China strictly controls technical barriers, food safety, and hygiene, Vietnam’s vegetables and fruits are more favored by Chinese consumers due to the increasing quality and competitive prices.
Therefore, the export value of vegetables and fruits in the first half of 2023 to China reached 1.76 billion USD, up 121.9% over the same period in 2022. This strong growth contributes to the good export value of vegetables and fruits in the first half of the year. It is because the export value to China accounts for 65.8% of the total export value of vegetables and fruits.
In addition to China, fruit and vegetable exports to Korea, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates also recorded a high growth rate in the first half of 2023.
“In the last six months of 2023, export is forecast to maintain the growth momentum if businesses focus on quality, improve designs, packaging, and traceability to meet the standards of the market” – Mr. Nguyen Nhu Tiep said.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES FROM KEY MARKETS
To take advantage of opportunities from the Chinese market, in the coming time, the MARD shall continue to implement the results of the Ministry’s delegation after working with Guangxi and Yunnan provinces (China). In particular, we shall focus on signing a memorandum of cooperation in agricultural development and agricultural, forestry, and fishery trade between Vietnam and Guangxi and Yunnan (China) in September on the occasion of the CAEXPO Fair taking place in Guangxi; consider coordinating with the Vietnam Trade Office in Nanning (China) to connect and promote agricultural consumption at this fair.
In addition, the MARD shall promote the establishment of “Vietnam – Guangxi Association of Agricultural, Forestry, and Fisheries Enterprises” and “Vietnam – Yunnan Association of Agricultural, Forestry, and Fisheries Enterprises”. The MARD also promotes techniques to soon sign a protocol with the General Department of Customs of China on food safety, quarantine, and inspection requirements for seafood products imported between Vietnam and China.
Agricultural, forestry, and fishery exports to the ASEAN market grew quite well (12.8%) compared to the same period in 2022. Typically, agricultural, forestry, and fishery exports to Indonesia grew significantly (300.3%) thanks to rice, coffee, etc.
Dong Nai exported the first durian shipment to China.
Regarding seafood products, Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam, Deputy Secretary General of the VASEP, said that the export signal of the Asian market may be higher than that of Europe and the US. Hopefully, in the second half of the year, seafood exports to the Asian market will “save” other markets.
Contrary to the optimism of the Chinese and ASEAN markets, exports to the US, EU, and Japan still declined sharply. Exports to the US market decreased by 32.9% compared to the same period in 2022. Of the 10 key export items, only coffee had a growth.
Consumption in the US market has recovered but it is still slow. Groups accounting for a large export market share such as wood and seafood may have a slight increase in demand in the last three months of the year. The US has returned to Vietnam’s largest seafood export market in May 2023 and that shows good signals from this market.
According to Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam, in the last six months of the year, the MARD will focus on trade promotion activities and market development connections to promote the export of key agricultural, forestry, and fishery products to the three major markets including China, the US, and Japan.
Regarding the US market, through the Agricultural Counseling System and Trade Counselor, we shall connect trade with logistic enterprises, focal points for agricultural product distribution in this market with localities, production, and business enterprises in the country.
Regarding the Japanese market, the MARD will consider organizing fruit trade promotion activities on the sidelines of events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations and the ASEAN-Japan Summit in December 2023 in Tokyo./.