Agricultural, forestry and fishery product exports reached US $ 29.2 billion in the first half of the year

Speaking at the regular press conference in the second quarter of 2024, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said that in the context of many difficulties and challenges, agriculture affirms its important role, especially in ensuring domestic and international food security. Accordingly, the total export turnover of agricultural, forestry and fishery products in the first 6 months of the year reached US $ 29.2 billion, up 19% over the same period in 2023. Total import turnover of agricultural, forestry and fishery products reached nearly 21 billion USD. Thus, the industry-wide trade surplus is over US $ eight billion, an increase of 62.4%.

Of which, the main agricultural product group reached US $15.76 billion, an increase of 24.4%; Main forest products US $7.95 billion, up 21.2%; seafood US $4.36 billion, up 4.9%; livestock products US $ 240 million, an increase of 3.8%. Production inputs alone were US $904 million, down 1.8% and salt was US $2.3 million, down 1.7%.

Contributing to that result, there are seven products and product groups with export value of over US $one billion (coffee, rubber, rice, vegetables, cashew nuts, shrimp, wood products). Rice and cashew nuts are two products that increased both export volume and value.

Specifically, rice exports reached 4.68 million tons (up 10.4%), worth US $2.98 billion (up 32%); Cashew nuts exported 350 thousand tons (up 24.9%), worth US $1.92 billion (up 17.4%). Coffee alone decreased in volume (reaching 902 thousand tons, down 10.5%), but thanks to the average export price increasing by 50.4%, the export value reached US $3.22 billion (up 34.6%).

The United States, China and Japan continue to be Vietnam's three largest export markets. Export value to the United States accounted for 20.7% (up 20.8%); China accounted for 20.2% (up 9.5%) and Japan accounted for 6.7% (up 5%).

In the first six months of the year, seafood exports increased by 4.9%. Photo: NT

According to the assessment of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the above results are thanks to the fact that the entire agricultural sector has been focusing on implementing projects to promote the export of agricultural, forestry and fishery products to key markets. approved from the end of 2023 (China, the United States, Japan and the EU), opening new markets with great potential such as Halal Muslim countries, the Middle East, Africa... Thanks to that, the consumer market Product consumption is maintained and expanded, agricultural, forestry and fishery exports continue to maintain high growth momentum.

Assessing the goal for 2024, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that in 2024, the Prime Minister assigned the agricultural sector to export about US $54 billion. Currently, exports have reached more than 50% of the target set by the Prime Minister (US $29.2 billion, up 19% over the same period in 2023). "It is forecast that from July onwards, demand for agricultural products will often be higher, so the export target by the end of the year of about US $54 billion USD as expected by the Prime Minister can be achieved," Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said. know.

Achieving the set goal in 2024, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that the agricultural sector has had specific solutions for each field, suitable to the climate situation as well as global fluctuations. Accordingly, regarding cultivation, direct rice production in the Summer-Autumn crop, Autumn-Winter crop and seasonal crops in accordance with weather and market developments. Closely monitor the production of industrial crops and fruit trees, especially key fruit trees (such as dragon fruit, longan, durian, mango, and rambutan in the Mekong Delta) to provide guidance on crop distribution appropriate, increasing the rate of certified products.

Developing sustainably the fisheries industry, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will prepare to work with the inspection team of the European Commission (EC); Focusing on directing and urging the implementation of Directive No. 32-CT/TW of the Secretariat and Action Program and Plan of the Government No. 52/NQ-CP on strengthening prevention and combat of IUU exploitation. In particular, from August 1, 2024, the application of Resolution 04 of the Council of Judges of the Supreme People's Court on criminal prosecution for activities related to mining, trading and transporting Illegal transfer of seafood will be an important basis for Vietnam to continue promoting the fight against illegal seafood exploitation. During this period, we will also focus on developing and implementing legal documents, while promoting forestry and fishing port planning.