The Ministry of Industry and Trade met with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to remove difficulties for agricultural exports.

To assess the export situation of rice and vegetables in the first four months of 2024 and discuss solutions to overcome difficulties and promote exports in the remaining months of the year, on May 28, 2024, the Ministries of Industry and Trade and Agriculture and Rural Development jointly chaired a meeting on the production, business, and export situation of agricultural products. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Interior , leaders of the Vietnam Food Association, the Vietnam Rice Industry Association, the Vietnam Vegetable and Fruit Association, and functional units of relevant ministries and sectors.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien delivers the opening remarks at the meeting (Photo: Can Dung)

In his opening remarks at the meeting, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien stated that Vietnam's rice and vegetable production and exports in late 2023 and early 2024 were quite favorable and achieved many positive results. Rice and vegetable exports increased in both quantity and value.

Associations and businesses have effectively exploited traditional markets while opening up many new, potential markets. Vietnamese rice and many fruit and vegetable products continue to be recognized internationally. Many businesses and producers have better accessed and utilized the advantages from the FTAs ​​to which Vietnam is a member. Industry associations have been playing an active role in helping member businesses improve the quality of their agricultural production and import/export activities.

However, despite the achievements, Vietnam's rice and vegetable production and export activities still have limitations and weaknesses that need to be addressed. Specifically, some growing areas have experienced rapid expansion in scale without adhering to quality assurance standards. Production and export businesses have not thoroughly researched the requirements and signals of export markets, thus failing to establish strong product brands. Export businesses participating in bidding for large shipments to key markets often offer prices significantly lower than other partners (even lower than domestic prices). At times, prices are pushed too high, while quality does not match. The role of industry associations in fostering consensus to protect the rights of members, businesses, and national interests remains limited.

Overview of the meeting (Photo: Can Dung)

Therefore, at this meeting, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien hopes that delegates will focus on discussing and evaluating the production and export of rice and vegetables in the past period to identify the immediate and long-term difficulties and obstacles faced by businesses and industry associations, clearly identifying the causes (especially subjective causes) and solutions to overcome them. At the same time, they should assess and determine market demand as well as the ability to take advantage of opportunities from markets with FTAs ​​to which Vietnam is a member, and exchange and propose mechanisms to strengthen cooperation between relevant ministries and agencies with associations and businesses, as well as enhance the role of associations in supporting production and forming large export value chains, contributing to ensuring effective exports and improving the competitiveness and value of Vietnamese rice and vegetable products in the world market.

In recent times, the global situation has continued to be volatile and complex, significantly impacting economic growth and posing risks to global trade in goods, including rice and vegetables. However, thanks to the synchronized and timely guidance of the Government and the Prime Minister; the close and effective coordination of central ministries and agencies and localities; and the export of agricultural products in general, and rice and vegetables in particular, Vietnam has continued to achieve positive results.

According to the General Department of Customs, in the first four months of 2024, Vietnam's rice and vegetable exports increased significantly in both volume and value; specifically, rice exports increased by 9.5% in volume and 33.6% in value compared to the same period last year; and vegetable exports increased by 38.1% in value. Export results to key and potential markets all achieved encouraging growth.

To achieve these results, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has proactively coordinated with relevant ministries and agencies to actively implement many key solutions to promote exports and develop markets. This includes focusing on negotiating to reduce import tariffs and continuing negotiations, signing, and upgrading FTAs ​​with partners in many potential markets to open up and develop export markets; simultaneously, supporting businesses in improving their capacity and awareness of policy information and incentives under FTAs. The Ministry has also intensified trade promotion activities and connected supply and demand for goods.

Enhancing the role of Vietnamese trade offices abroad in promptly gathering and providing information on markets and new regulations and policies of host countries, helping businesses and state management agencies to respond with appropriate and feasible policies.

Actively support businesses in effectively exploiting opportunities from FTAs ​​to which Vietnam is a member to expand and diversify markets and products, and boost exports, bringing Vietnamese rice and fruit and vegetable products deeper into the global value chain. Guide and support businesses in seeking opportunities to penetrate and develop in new, potential market segments such as Halal food products, the African market, Latin America, etc.

Overview of the meeting (Photo: Can Dung)

According to forecasts from specialized agencies, the world's demand for imported rice and vegetables will increase significantly in the coming period due to supply disruptions in many countries (affected by armed conflicts; geopolitical competition and trade wars between major powers). Product quality requirements will also become increasingly stringent; many technical barriers have been and are being erected by importing countries to protect their domestic trade. Vietnam is continuing to accelerate negotiations, signing, and upgrading FTAs ​​with partners in potential markets, facilitating businesses to diversify markets, supply chains, and export products, especially in new, potential, and under-exploited market segments such as Halal food products, the African market, and Latin America. These factors will strongly impact Vietnam's rice and vegetable trade in the coming period.

At the meeting, the Head of the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) presented an introductory report on the export situation of several agricultural products (rice, fruits and vegetables), the current status, and future directions. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also provided information on the production of several agricultural products (rice, fruits and vegetables) in the first four months of the year and projections for 2024. Leaders of the Vietnam Food Association; the Vietnam Rice Industry Association; and the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association also gave presentations at the meeting.

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Source: https://congthuong.vn/bo-cong-thuong-hop-voi-bo-nong-nghiep-va-phat-trien-nong-thon-go-kho-cho-xuat-khau-nong-san-322800.html