More drastic measures taken to support businesses to sustain export growth of agricultural products

Vietnam News Agency has interviewed Trần Quốc Toản, deputy director of the ministry’s Import and Export Department, about the challenges facing Vietnamese enterprises as well as State’s support on promotion of agricultural products such as rice, aquatic products and fruits.

Trần Quốc Toản, deputy director of MoIT’s Import and Export Department. — Photo congthuong.vn

Việt Nam’s export of some agricultural products such as rice, aquatic products and fruits has experienced many challenges recently. The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is taking many measures to fight against origin fraud to protect Việt Nam’s export industries from litigation risk arising from the evasion of trade remedies.

Vietnam News Agency spoke to Trần Quốc Toản, deputy director of the ministry’s Import and Export Department, about the challenges facing Vietnamese enterprises as well as State’s support on this matter.

In the first quarter, Việt Nam’s agricultural exports, including rice, benefited from rising prices but export volume decreased compared to the same period in 2020. What are the reasons and the direction for rice export in the future?

Facing many difficulties amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Việt Nam’s rice export achieved positive results. Although the export volume decreased, the turnover growth brought benefits to rice farmers.

Vietnamese rice exporters are increasingly focusing on improving quality, traceability and striving to meet the strict standards of demanding markets such as the EU, South Korea and the United States. This is one of the factors that have helped improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese rice.

Export data to a number of high-end markets in recent years have shown positive signals on the improvement of the quality of both rice and the enterprises themselves.

Việt Nam’s rice export structure has been gradually shifting to high value-added rice such as fragrant rice, accounting for 27.15 per cent of the total export volume; japonica rice, 3.39 per cent; sticky rice, 9.26 per cent.

The current average export price has ensured farmers' profits when compared with the average cost of paddy planned for the winter-spring crop 2020-21. In addition, Việt Nam has signed many free trade agreements (FTAs) with many strategic countries that have helped the Vietnamese rice brand become better known, expand markets for high-end rice and specialty rice at higher prices, contributing to the increase in export value for Vietnamese rice.

In order to boost rice export in the future, the MoIT will increase coordination with other ministries and the Việt Nam Food Association to support businesses to implement FTAs ​​effectively.

The ministry will continue regular coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which is leading the rice industry restructuring process and take drastic and comprehensive measures to improve the value and quality of Vietnamese rice, building and developing Vietnamese rice brand.

Besides the support from State management agencies, businesses need to actively prepare plans to strengthen their capacity, source of goods and improve competitiveness through building long-term and disciplined strategies to strictly comply with regulations on traceability, build and protect brands towards sustainable exports.

It is also necessary to proactively develop cooperation and linkage to enhance strength, create supply chains and prepare measures to deal with trade remedies and lawsuits through monitoring market and price developments.

Recently, many seafood and fruit products are facing challenges to maintain and expand in key markets, including the United States. What solutions has the ministry prepared to support businesses?

Vegetables and fruits have enjoyed impressive export growth for many years with an average growth rate of 14.1 per cent during 2016-20.

However, due to the adverse impacts of COVID-19, export value of this sector reached only US$3.3 billion in 2020, down 12.7 per cent year-on-year. In the first quarter of this year, the export turnover reached $944 million, up 6.1 per cent year-on-year.

The United States is the second largest export market with a market share of about 4-5 per cent of Việt Nam's total fruit and vegetable export turnover. The export growth averaged 24.4 per cent in the last five years.

In 2020, despite the pandemic, vegetables and fruits shipped to the United States fetched $168.8 million, maintaining a growth rate of 12.5 per cent, of which, fruit export was $72.9 million, down by 8.5 per cent year-on-year. In the first two months of 2021, the export of vegetables and fruits to the US reached $23.4 million, up 3.7 per cent, accounting for 4.2 per cent of the export turnover of the whole industry.

To date, six types of fresh fruits from Việt Nam have been allowed to be shipped to the US, including dragon fruit, longans, lychees, rambutans, star apples and mangos. However, the amount of export is insignificant because of high costs such as transport, storage, quarantine and irradiation treatment which make them less competitive than from other countries that geographically nearer.

The export of processed fruits and vegetables has seen positive growth due to the change in demand and taste of consumers. This type of products with the advantage of long storage time prevails in the pandemic.

For seafood products, the export turnover in 2020 reached $8.4 billion, a decrease of 1.5 per cent year-on-year, of which exports to the US increased the most, reaching more than $1.6 billion, up 10 per cent thanks to sharp increase of 33 per cent in shrimp exports. In the first two months, seafood exports to this market continued to rise by 5.4 per cent year-on-year, reaching over $189 million.

Currently, the demand for seafood imports of the US market is recovering. The structure of products has also changed amid the pandemic. Therefore, the product segment serving retail channels, home consumption with high convenience such as ready-to-eat, instant food, dry food and canned food with reasonable prices is and will have more room to grow in the US this year.

In addition, the high rise in shipping rates and the lack of empty containers for packing in the past few months have also directly impacted seafood export activities.

According to the Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), by the end of 2020, foreign shipping lines increased freight by two to three times, even six to seven times in some sectors but enterprises were still unable to arrange vessels and containers for export. Enterprises supplying seafood materials from abroad also could not book vessels to ship raw materials to Việt Nam.

In order to support businesses to overcome difficulties, maintain and promote the export of agricultural products, especially to the US market, the ministry is taking many measures to fight against origin fraud to protect Việt Nam’s export industry from litigation risk arising from the evasion of trade remedies..

The ministry will update the situation on prices and markets to promptly notify and guide associations, enterprises and production establishments to organise their production plans.

Also it will proactively update the application of trade protection measures, promptly inform relevant agencies and businesses, and effectively fight against unreasonable technical barriers from the US market for agricultural products, including Vietnamese seafood and fruits.

In addition, the ministry will continue coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to accelerate the negotiation of the technical market to expand the list of Vietnamese goods/enterprises permitted to export to the United States, as well as carry out effective and suitable export promotion programmes for agricultural products.

Regarding the rising freight charges, the ministry has reported to the Prime Minister and will continue working closely with the Vietnam Logistics Business Association and other relevant industry associations to facilitate the distribution and balanced use of container rotation. — VNS

Source: VNA
vietnamnews.vn

Related News

Unlock capital flows and create favorable conditions for investors

Unlock capital flows and create favorable conditions for investors

VCN - Talking with the press, Dr. Ngo Cong Thanh (Photo), Provisional Executive Committee member of the Vietnam Industrial Park Finance Association (VIPFA), said that it is necessary to open up capital flows and create conditions for investors to access key factors. Facilitate production and business factors and innovate investment promotion activities to more effectively develop industrial parks.
Building Vietnamese product brands abroad: Lessons from persistence

Building Vietnamese product brands abroad: Lessons from persistence

VCN - Many Vietnamese products have affirmed their position and created a solid foothold in foreign markets thanks to successful brand building. However, experts say that the brand image of Vietnamese goods is still relatively modest in many markets.
Businesses hunts for effective implementation of Resolution 02

Businesses hunts for effective implementation of Resolution 02

VCN - According to Dr. Nguyen Minh Thao, Head of the Business Environment and Competitiveness Research Department (CIEM), businesses long to administrative reform and business environment improvement, which also are the least expensive support package amid the shortage of support resources.
Businesses expect reforms to be effective, substantive and put into practice

Businesses expect reforms to be effective, substantive and put into practice

VCN - The restoration of the Reform Program to improve the business environment by issuing Resolution No. 02 dated January 5, 2024 to create pressure and arouse the motivation and spirit of reform for ministries, branches and localities.

Latest News

Import turnover of 19 commodity groups grows over 20%

Import turnover of 19 commodity groups grows over 20%

VCN – Most of major import commodity groups have high growth turnover compared to the same period in 2023.
Vietnam owns significant advantages in attracting FDI

Vietnam owns significant advantages in attracting FDI

VCN - In an interview with Customs News, Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, Director of the Institute of Branding and Competition Strategy, believed that the global minimum tax could affect global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and the FDI attraction policies of each country. However, "in crisis lies opportunity", Vietnam still has significant advantages in attracting FDI.
Nearly 7,000 tariff lines of AKFTA product specific rules need to be transposed

Nearly 7,000 tariff lines of AKFTA product specific rules need to be transposed

VCN - ASEAN member states and the Republic of Korea (RoK) reached a consensus on the transposition of ASEAN-RoK Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) Product Specific Rules from the Harmonised System Codes HS 2017 to HS 2022.
Vietnam needs to cook up stronger global rice brand

Vietnam needs to cook up stronger global rice brand

Although Vietnamese rice has a foothold in several fastidious markets, there is a long way to go to make it a stronger brand globally, according to insiders.

More News

Vietnam advised to fully tap CPTPP to boost exports to Canada

Vietnam advised to fully tap CPTPP to boost exports to Canada

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has opened up numerous opportunities for Vietnam and Canada to boost two-way trade, however, tax initiatives under the trade pact have not been tapped to the fullest extent by the Vietnamese exporters, said Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in Canada Tran Thu Quynh.
ASEAN, RoK agree on transposition of AKFTA product specific rules

ASEAN, RoK agree on transposition of AKFTA product specific rules

ASEAN member states and the Republic of Korea (RoK) have reached a consensus on the transposition of ASEAN-RoK Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) Product Specific Rules from the Harmonised System Codes HS 2017 to HS 2022.
Opportunities for digital technology businesses to go global

Opportunities for digital technology businesses to go global

Finding solutions and directions to promote and develop Vietnamese digital technology enterprises is an important task, which will promote the stability and sustainability of the country's economy, heard a recent conference.
Vietnam, China eye stronger border trade

Vietnam, China eye stronger border trade

Border provinces of Vietnam and China should continue close coordination and enhance trade promotion between the two sides, stressed the recent talks between the management boards of the economic zone of the northern province of Ha Giang and the Malypo border economic cooperation zone of China’s Yunnan province.
Improve competitiveness and sustainable development of the seafood industry

Improve competitiveness and sustainable development of the seafood industry

VCN - In early 2024, seafood exports have prospered. This is the driving force that helps seafood businesses hope for a stronger recovery this year. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Sac, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) shared with Customs Magazine.
Business environment reform needs further promotion: expert

Business environment reform needs further promotion: expert

Resolution 02 issued by the Government creates pressure for the ministries, sectors and localities to make changes for the business community as well as the socio-economic development.
Singapore is the largest foreign investor in VN in Q1

Singapore is the largest foreign investor in VN in Q1

The disbursed FDI rose by 7.1 per cent in the first quarter to reach $4.63 billion, a signal that the disbursement will continue the positive trend, the agency said.
Thai Binh boosts investment, trade cooperation with Germany

Thai Binh boosts investment, trade cooperation with Germany

A delegation from the northern province of Thai Binh, led by Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyen Khac Than, visited several localities and business organisations in Germany from March 25 to 27, in a bid to enhance trade cooperation with and attract direct investment from the European nation.
Lifting obstacles to develop industrial parks

Lifting obstacles to develop industrial parks

VCN - Attracting investment and developing industrial zones (IZs) and economic zones (EZs) is one of the important contents to implement the policy of developing a multi-component, open, attract investment and resources from all economic sectors to develop the country. In addition to the results achieved, there still limitations that need to be removed to draw investments to develop industrial parks and economic zones, including financial problems for industrial parks.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
Import turnover of 19 commodity groups grows over 20%

Import turnover of 19 commodity groups grows over 20%

VCN - According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, in the first two months of 2024, the total import turnover of the country increased by 17.1% year-on-year to US$ 54.21 billion. The result is only lower than the record increase of the same per
Vietnam owns significant advantages in attracting FDI

Vietnam owns significant advantages in attracting FDI

VCN - Vietnam's economy has passed the most dangerous and difficult period and is now more stable. Inflation, exchange rates, and interest rates have decreased, bank liquidity has stabilized, and the stock and bond markets have experienced shocks and begu
Nearly 7,000 tariff lines of AKFTA product specific rules need to be transposed

Nearly 7,000 tariff lines of AKFTA product specific rules need to be transposed

ASEAN member states and the Republic of Korea (RoK) reached a consensus on the transposition of ASEAN-RoK Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) Product Specific Rules
Vietnam needs to cook up stronger global rice brand

Vietnam needs to cook up stronger global rice brand

Although Vietnamese rice has a foothold in several fastidious markets, there is a long way to go to make it a stronger brand globally, according to insiders.
Vietnam advised to fully tap CPTPP to boost exports to Canada

Vietnam advised to fully tap CPTPP to boost exports to Canada

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has opened up numerous opportunities for Vietnam and Canada to boost two-way trade, however, tax initiatives under the trade pact have not been tapped to the fullest extent by the Vietnamese exporters, said Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in Canada Tran Thu Quynh.
Mobile Version