Vietnam recorded U$11.3bn in agro‑forestry‑fishery export revenue in the first two months of 2026, a 17.1 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2025.
To sustain this growth, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) has outlined a strategy that included strengthening market forecasting and developing response scenarios to manage rising geopolitical risks that could disrupt transport, payments and international trade flows.
The aim is to ensure exporters can adapt quickly to shifting demand patterns and regulatory changes.
A key priority is improving value‑chain integration. The ministry plans to reinforce linkages between production, preliminary processing, processing and distribution, while expanding supply chains connected to concentrated raw material areas with robust traceability and food safety assurance.
These efforts are expected to stabilise raw material supply and enhance product quality for export markets.
To raise competitiveness, businesses are being encouraged to invest in technological innovation, particularly in deep processing tied to raw material zones and sustainable supply chains.
Post‑harvest preservation technologies and by‑product processing will receive special attention under a circular‑economy approach designed to reduce losses, maximise raw material use and lift overall product value.
The sector also intends to increase the share of processed products in both domestic consumption and exports, gradually reducing reliance on raw commodity shipments.
At the same time, the ministry will support improvements in quality control at processing and storage facilities.
It will guide enterprises in meeting technical standards, quarantine requirements, food safety rules and traceability obligations in key export markets, especially those with stricter compliance thresholds.
Amid ongoing geopolitical the ministry will also aim to strengthen market forecasting capacity and develop response scenarios to address potential trade disruptions.
A strong start
MAE said the performance of agriculture reflects improving global market demand and provides momentum toward achieving the sector’s 2026 export target of U$73 to U$75bn
February exports were estimated at U$4.71bn, down 28.4 per cent from January but still 1.9 per cent higher year-on-year, contributing to the overall positive two‑month outcome.
Across product categories, agricultural products generated U$6.09 bn, up 17.1 per cent, while seafood exports increased 23.3per cent to U$1.76 bn.
Forestry products brought in U$2.82 bn, a 7.4 per cent rise. Livestock exports stood out with exceptionally strong growth, reaching U$140.7 m, an 84.3 per cent year-on-year increase.
Other segments also expanded significantly, with agricultural production inputs up 51.7 per cent and salt exports rising 69 per cent.
Asia remained Vietnam’s largest regional market, accounting for 45.5per cent of export value, followed by the Americas at 21 per cent and Europe at 15.7per cent. Oceania and Africa accounted for 1.4 per cent and 2.2 per cent respectively.
Compared with the same period in 2025, shipments to Asia grew 27.7 per cent, exports to the Americas increased 10.4per cent, and those to Europe rose 12per cent.
Exports to Oceania surged 32.4 per cent, while exports to Africa declined by 19.6 per cent.
At the country level, China was the largest importer, accounting for 22.9 per cent of total export value, followed by the US at 18.7 per cent and Japan at 7.2 per cent.
Exports to China rose sharply by 55.9 per cent, while shipments to the United States and Japan increased 9.2 per cent and 9.8 per cent respectively.
