4 directions for Vietnam - Queensland agricultural trade cooperation

The meeting took place as the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership continues to grow strongly, with the two sides strengthening cooperation in agriculture, trade and technology.

On the morning of November 3, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien had a working session with a delegation from Queensland state (Australia) led by Ms. Ros Bates MP, Minister of Finance, Trade, Employment and Training of Queensland state.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien emphasized that Australia is one of Vietnam's leading agricultural trade partners. Two-way trade turnover in the fields of agriculture , forestry and fisheries has maintained stable growth in recent years, clearly demonstrating trust and mutual support in the regional supply chain.

Bilateral cooperation programs within the framework of ACIAR, CSIRO and Aus4Innovation have brought about many practical results, contributing to improving research capacity, technological innovation and sustainable agricultural development, and climate change adaptation for Vietnam.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien at a meeting to discuss opportunities to expand agricultural and food exports between Vietnam and Queensland. Photo: Kieu Chi.

By 2024, bilateral trade between Vietnam and Australia will reach about 4.2 billion AUD, of which agricultural products and food account for a significant proportion. Vietnam currently imports many high-quality products from Queensland such as beef, live cattle, cotton, cereals, soybeans and agricultural technology. In contrast, Vietnam's seafood, coffee, cashew nuts, vegetables and processed foods also have great potential to expand exports.

Minister Ros Bates MP congratulated Vietnam on the opening of its market for Vietnamese grapefruit and Australian blueberries. Ms. Ros Bates MP also shared that the "Taste of Queensland" campaign is being implemented to promote the state's strong agricultural products such as high-quality beef, nuts, and seafood.

According to her, Queensland is Australia's leading state in developing clean, transparent, traceable food supply chains and affirmed its readiness to support Vietnam in transforming its food system sustainably.

Ms. Ros Bates MP highly appreciated Vietnam's position as a regional connectivity hub, acting as a gateway to the Southeast Asian market for Australian goods. Photo: Kieu Chi.

At the working session, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien presented four key cooperation orientations:

Firstly, the two sides need to increase two-way trade in agricultural products and food, aiming for trade balance and sustainable value chain development. Vietnam has 7 diverse agro-ecological zones, with a system of raw material areas, processing and packaging facilities that meet traceability and food safety standards. Vietnam is ready to boost exports of key products such as seafood, tropical fruits, processed agricultural products and organic foods to Queensland, while encouraging the import of high-quality products and advanced agricultural technology from this state.

Second, expand cooperation in research, training and transfer of modern agricultural technology. Vietnam's agricultural sector is moving towards green transformation and digital transformation, and needs the participation of Queensland universities, research institutes and businesses in innovation programs, low-emission agriculture and climate adaptation.

Third , promote investment and public-private partnership in the agricultural sector to form large-scale commodity value chains. The Deputy Minister proposed that Queensland businesses invest in high-tech agriculture, agricultural logistics, processing centers and value chain development in Vietnam.

Fourth, strengthen trade promotion and agricultural product branding, in which programs such as Taste of Queensland should be implemented more frequently in Vietnam.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien affirmed that with the tradition of good cooperation and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework upgraded in 2024, Vietnam-Queensland agricultural cooperation will continue to develop strongly in the coming time. The leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment also expect that the two sides will expand investment cooperation in the fields of logistics infrastructure, seaports, aviation, railways and maritime routes, contributing to connecting the supply chain.

In addition to her role as Minister of Commerce, Ms. Bates is also in charge of investment, ports and trade, so she is ready to discuss further if Vietnamese businesses need to connect or have difficulties in accessing the market.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/4-dinh-huong-hop-tac-thuong-mai-nong-nghiep-viet-nam--queensland-d782002.html