Impressive numbers

Evaluating the results achieved by the agricultural sector in 2024, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien affirmed that in 2024, the agricultural sector carried out its tasks in conditions with intertwined advantages, difficulties and challenges; including the strong impact of market fluctuations, severe hot weather, drought, storms in the Central Highlands and Central regions, saline intrusion in the southern provinces and cities, storm No.3 (Yagi) causing heavy damage...

In 2024, though the agricultural sector faced many difficulties and challenges, it achieved many positive results.

However, with the spirit of “discipline, responsibility, timely initiative, accelerated innovation, sustainable efficiency”, along with efforts to overcome difficulties, face all challenges, adapt to all changes, the agricultural and rural development sector has achieved many brilliant achievements: The total production value (GO) of the whole sector reached an increase of about 3.3%, the forest coverage rate was 42.02%, the rate of communes meeting new rural standards was estimated at 78.7%, the rate of rural households using clean water meeting standards was 58%, the total export turnover of the whole sector reached a record level of about 62.5 billion USD...

“Achievements in the difficult times of the agricultural and rural development sector in 2024 has continued to affirm its role as a pillar and fulcrum of the country’s economy, ensuring national social security, contributing to ensuring global food security and being ready to promote advantages to enter a new era with the country,” Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien affirmed.

Fruits and vegetables are a strong product of Vietnam, currently present in more than 60 markets. Many key products such as mango, banana, durian... are currently ranked second in exports to China - the world’s largest fruit and vegetable market.

According to Nguyen Thanh Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, in 2023, fruit and vegetable exports grew by 67%. In 2024, the growth momentum will continue to be 27%. In addition to fresh products, Vietnamese fruits and vegetables also export many processed and deeply processed products.

“The export result of 7.2 billion USD in 2024 is thanks to the accumulation of achievements from previous years. Most fruit trees require a long investment period, from 3-5 years. The number of officially exported fruits and vegetables is increasing. For example, China is currently licensing 15 fruit and vegetable products, contributing to the positive growth of products such as durian, banana, coconut, etc.,” Binh affirmed.

The market share of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables continues to increase, for example from 3rd to 2nd place in China, or the US grew by more than 30%, Thailand increased by more than 80%.

Trade promotion activities on fruits and vegetables are increasingly interested and invested in by all levels, sectors, and industry associations. Combined with 16 new generation FTAs, the fruit and vegetable industry today has many opportunities to access potential markets.

Regarding seafood exports, Nguyen Hoai Nam, Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), said that the total seafood export turnover in 2024 will exceed 10 billion USD.

This is the result of efforts from the business community, farmers, and the direction of the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Vietnamese seafood is now present in more than 170 countries and territories. Notably, the shrimp industry is worth 4 billion USD; pangasius is 2 billion USD; and marine products such as tuna, squid, and octopus are worth about 4 billion USD.

Strengthening cooperation to develop sustainable agriculture

Assessing the achievements of the agricultural sector, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang said that he was quite impressed with the numbers and “miracles” of Vietnam’s agricultural sector in the past year.

Fruits and vegetables are a strong product of Vietnam, currently present in more than 60 markets.

Accordingly, the agricultural sector stands out with an impressive figure of total agricultural, forestry and fishery export turnover reaching an increase of 18.7% in the context of a world economy full of challenges, competition, conflicts, and increasing logistics and energy prices.

“The total trade surplus is nearly 25 billion USD, of which the agricultural trade surplus is 17.9 billion USD, accounting for 72% of the total trade surplus of the country, affirming the development of the agricultural sector and its supporting role for the economic sector, as well as being an essential foundation for social security and a resource to bring foreign currency to the country,” the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs shared.

From a foreign affairs perspective, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs assessed that agriculture is the leading strength to enhance Vietnam's role, position and responsibility in global issues. In bilateral and multilateral relations, the agricultural sector is Vietnam’s pride in growth and development.

Within the framework of the G20, member countries also hope that Vietnam will share and strengthen cooperation in the agricultural sector and contribute to global efforts to ensure food security.

According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang, to achieve this achievement, efforts, determination, and will of the entire industry, locality, and enterprise are needed. In addition, the role of foreign affairs, especially high-level foreign affairs, should be emphasised.

“In all high-level foreign affairs activities, the contents of agricultural cooperation, promoting market opening for Vietnamese agricultural products, promoting cooperation in sharing experiences and technology transfer have always been of primary concern to the Prime Minister and have been actively promoted in recent activities,” she added.

In 2025, the agricultural sector will be the first to be affected in the context of the world situation having complex and unpredictable developments, new trends in trade protection, green transformation, digital transformation, non-traditional security challenges, etc.

Accordingly, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to continue to promote the diversification of markets, agricultural supply chain products, and have specific plans to bring products to potential markets in addition to large markets such as the Middle East, South America, Africa, South Asia, etc.

In addition, it is necessary to establish and promote a cooperation framework, promote cooperation in opening markets, promote smart, green, circular agriculture, with the spirit of harmonious interests between countries, sharing together, and achieving benefits together.

In addition, it is necessary to direct strongly, creating breakthrough thinking in market promotion for Halal products.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang also suggested that the two ministries coordinate to promote Vietnam’s responsible contribution to global issues.

Promoting and promoting the image of Vietnamese agricultural products abroad needs to be comprehensive, systematic and strengthen coordination between ministries, departments and sectors in this issue. In 2025, Hang also suggested that the two sides develop a specific plan to promote diplomacy for sustainable agricultural development.