Signing of 5 memorandums of understanding to promote the export of Vietnamese agricultural products to the Japanese market

Japan is renowned for its modern, high-tech agriculture ; however, domestic production only meets over 45% of its needs, resulting in annual imports of agricultural products. This presents an advantage for Vietnam in expanding its agricultural exports to this market.

On the morning of November 22nd, the Department of International Cooperation and the National Agricultural Extension Center ( Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development ), in collaboration with the Japan Agricultural Investment Promotion Project (ABJD) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), organized a workshop titled "Connecting Supply Chains to Meet Market Demand" and a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony on promoting agricultural product consumption between the National Agricultural Extension Center and AEON Topvalu Vietnam Co., Ltd.

Attending the signing ceremony were Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan; Mr. Ito Naoki - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam and representatives from the Department of International Cooperation, the National Agricultural Extension Center; AEON Topvalu Vietnam Co., Ltd.; senior representatives from JICA...

Just before the seminar and signing ceremony, the delegates visited Aeon Mall Long Bien supermarket.

On the morning of November 22nd, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan, Mr. Ito Naoki - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam, and other delegates visited the agricultural and food product display areas at Aeon Mall Long Bien supermarket. Photo: MH

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan expressed his interest in the fact that the vegetables and fruits sold at Aeon Mall Long Bien supermarket all prioritize appearance and have clear origins. Photo: MH

A representative from Aeon Mall Vietnam stated that more and more consumers prefer buying pre-prepared food at supermarkets due to its convenience, cleanliness, and guaranteed freshness. (Photo: MH)

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director of the International Cooperation Department, stated that Vietnam and Japan have many potentials and unique advantages to promote cooperation in agricultural development. Japan is renowned for its modern, high-tech agriculture. However, Japanese agriculture only meets over 45% of domestic consumption needs, and still imports agricultural products annually. This is considered an advantage for Vietnam to expand its agricultural exports to this market.

According to Mr. Tuan, since 2014, Vietnam-Japan agricultural cooperation has undergone strategic and long-term changes, as demonstrated through high-level dialogues. However, Vietnam's agricultural exports to Japan are still limited to six main product groups, while some strong agricultural products such as rice, tea, and livestock products have not yet penetrated this market deeply.

"Overall, the value of agricultural exports accounts for less than 2% of Vietnam's total merchandise exports to Japan. Therefore, organizing today's workshop and signing ceremony will be extremely meaningful, creating a bridge to help Vietnamese farmers, cooperatives, businesses, and management agencies connect with Japanese partners in participating in the agricultural supply chain for the Aeon Mall supermarket system in particular and the Japanese market in general," Mr. Tuan assessed.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam, Mr. Ito Naoki, stated: "Agriculture is a field with great potential for cooperation between Japan and Vietnam. With Japan's modern technologies, we hope to help Vietnamese agriculture enhance its competitiveness, become an agricultural powerhouse, and especially build a new vision for the future."

Mr. Ito Naoki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam, delivered a speech at the signing ceremony.

In particular, Mr. Ito Naoki emphasized the need to strengthen technical cooperation and sales promotion, and he highly appreciated the agreement signed between the National Agricultural Extension Center and Aeon Topvalu Co., Ltd. to bring products that meet market demands and modern trends to the market.

"The Japanese market is ten times larger than Vietnam's, while the number of people working in agriculture in Japan is decreasing. Therefore, the opportunity for Vietnam to boost agricultural exports to Japan is enormous. With support from Aeon Topvalu, the community-based agricultural extension system, the Vietnam Farmers' Association , etc., Vietnamese agricultural products will increasingly meet the requirements of the Japanese side," Mr. Ito Naoki affirmed.

On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Minister Le Minh Hoan began his speech by saying: "Trust me! That's what I always tell the farmers: trust in your products."

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan introduced the book "The Soul Sweeper" by Hiroshe Kamata, who has dedicated 15 years to keeping Disneyland Japan clean.

Minister Le Minh Hoan said: "During a business trip to Japan, I took the opportunity to buy a robotic vacuum cleaner. After paying, I was about to leave with the robot when the salesperson insisted on stopping me. They said they had to meticulously instruct me on how to use it. Although it was a small gesture, it showed the dedicated salesmanship of the Japanese. I also hope that Vietnamese farmers will not only sell products but also sell that dedication."

"From today's cooperation, I think we can do even more, not only from selling vegetables from Vietnamese farmers, but with the guidance of Japanese experts, farmers can package their own produce, ensuring food safety, to put their products on the shelves of Aeon Mall, serving the most upscale customers," the Minister said.

Mr. Le Minh Hoan also expressed his gratitude to JICA for its continuous cooperation, connection, and assistance to Vietnamese farmers over many years, helping them produce according to standards and confidently bring their agricultural products to the Japanese market in particular, as well as to the global market, through Aeon Topvalu's distribution channel. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development also stated that he very much hopes Aeon can introduce Vietnamese OCOP products into its extensive distribution network.

Mr. Le Quoc Thanh, Director of the National Agricultural Extension Center, delivered a speech at the signing ceremony.

According to Mr. Le Quoc Thanh, Director of the National Agricultural Extension Center, this is an opportunity for managers, businesses, scientists, and cooperatives to discuss solutions for supplying Vietnamese agricultural products to the AEON Mall supermarket chain. In particular, the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the units will create opportunities for cooperatives and agricultural businesses to connect, understand market needs, and strengthen cooperation between stakeholders in the supply chain, especially regarding the needs of the Japanese market, contributing to promoting agricultural trade between the two countries.

"With these successful agreements, we will contribute to building a sustainable agricultural ecosystem – where producers, businesses, and consumers can cooperate closely to create quality products that meet the increasingly high demands of domestic and international markets. In particular, it demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting farmers and contributing to building a comprehensive, sustainable, and internationally integrated Vietnamese agriculture," Mr. Thanh expressed.

Representatives from participating units signing the memorandum of understanding on capacity building and market connectivity for agricultural exports pose for a commemorative photo with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan. Photo: Thanh Tam

Accordingly, five memoranda of understanding were signed within the framework of the event, including: a Memorandum of Understanding on capacity building and market connectivity for farmers between the National Agricultural Extension Center and AEON TOPVALU Vietnam; a Memorandum of Understanding between Maruwa Biochemical Co., Ltd. (MBC) and Moc Chau Red Tea Joint Stock Company; a Memorandum of Understanding on trade promotion between Next Farm Co., Ltd. and Ameii Vietnam Joint Stock Company; a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Agricultural Bank Insurance Joint Stock Company and Sorimachi Vietnam Co., Ltd.; and a Memorandum of Understanding between the Japan Agricultural Investment Promotion Project (ABJD) and the Vietnam High-Tech Agriculture Forum (VJAT).

Source: https://danviet.vn/ky-ket-5-bien-ban-ghi-nho-thuc-day-xuat-khau-nong-san-viet-nam-sang-thi-truong-nhat-ban-20241122152648873.htm