Export businesses seek new markets

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - In the context of the global economy still facing many challenges such as inflation, high transportation costs and technical barriers, many enterprises in Thanh Hoa have proactively adjusted their strategies, promoting the search, expansion and diversification of export markets. This is not only a solution to maintain growth momentum, but also a long-term direction to improve competitiveness and resilience to international economic fluctuations.

Workers operate the production line at INTCO Vietnam Industrial Co., Ltd.

Once heavily dependent on the Asian market, Truong Thang Garment Export Joint Stock Company (located in Cong Chinh commune) has now restructured its customer portfolio. The company has proactively expanded cooperation with new partners in Europe, America and Eastern Europe - markets that are considered to have great potential but are under-exploited. Mr. Vu Cong Thang, director of the company, shared: “Although the new market requires us to adjust our designs, sizes and quality certification processes according to our own standards, in return, the competition is not too fierce and the selling price is more stable.”

Not only Truong Thang, many other businesses have also flexibly adjusted their direction. INTCO Vietnam Industrial Co., Ltd. (located in Bim Son ward) - specializing in the production of recycled products from EPS and PS plastic is stepping up its search for markets in European and North American countries. Previously, the company's products were mainly exported to China, but since 2024, this unit has continuously participated in international trade connection programs and gradually expanded its distribution network to Canada, Mexico and Poland. The company representative said that in order to obtain appropriate certificates of origin and overcome technical barriers of importing countries, the company has invested in improving production technology and enhancing output quality control. This is also a mandatory condition if it wants to maintain sustainable exports in the new period.

Thanh Hoa currently has more than 230 enterprises directly participating in exports with a variety of goods, from agricultural products, seafood, textiles to construction materials and electronic components. To expand the market, many enterprises are actively taking advantage of free trade agreements such as EVFTA (with the EU), CPTPP, UKVFTA and RCEP. According to the Thanh Hoa Department of Industry and Trade, in the first 6 months of 2025, about 47% of the province's export turnover enjoyed tax incentives from FTAs, an increase of 6 percentage points over the same period last year.

An important direction to help Thanh Hoa enterprises expand export markets is to actively participate in international trade promotion activities. In 2024 and the first half of 2025, the province has created conditions for many enterprises to participate in large-scale fairs and exhibitions to promote products, connect with partners and grasp global consumption trends. Along with that, many units have proactively organized seminars and online trade connection sessions through platforms such as Zoom, Webex or Google Meet..., contributing to saving costs, expanding reach and improving market access efficiency in the context of increasingly widespread digital transformation.

Notably, the application of cross-border e-commerce is gradually becoming a potential export channel for many businesses in Thanh Hoa, especially small and medium-sized enterprises. Through platforms such as Amazon, Alibaba or specialized e-marketplaces, local goods have the opportunity to directly reach international consumers without going through many intermediaries. Thanks to thorough investment in digital marketing strategies and taking advantage of all-inclusive logistics support packages, many businesses have recorded significant revenue growth from online channels after a short period of implementation.

Finding new markets is difficult, retaining markets and customers is even more difficult. Exporting enterprises in Thanh Hoa are gradually changing their production and management thinking, moving towards more systematic and professional. Lam Son Sugarcane Joint Stock Company is currently present in more than 10 countries, applying a low-carbon agricultural model, tracing the origin from the growing area to meet the requirements of "greening" in international trade.

According to statistics from the Thanh Hoa Statistics Office, the total export turnover of goods in the first 6 months of 2025 reached 3.4 million USD, an increase of 20.5% over the same period. Of which, the group of processed and manufactured goods accounted for the largest proportion (over 65%), followed by agricultural products, aquatic products and minerals. Despite the good growth, experts said that competitive pressure is still very high, especially from competitors in Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh and China.

To achieve the export turnover target of 8 billion USD in 2025, Thanh Hoa clearly identifies the key role of technological innovation, market diversification and green transformation in production. In addition, supporting small and medium enterprises to access market information, access preferential capital and improve management capacity are also priority tasks.

The fact that export enterprises in the province are constantly striving to expand their markets is a clear demonstration of the spirit of adaptation, innovation and integration. Although there are many difficulties ahead, with the support of the government and self-determination, Thanh Hoa's export of goods is still firmly overcoming the waves, expanding its position on the international trade map.

Article and photos: Chi Pham

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/cac-doanh-nghiep-xuat-khau-tim-kiem-thi-truong-moi-255502.htm