Agricultural products increase sharply in both output and export value

Despite the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the total export value of agriculture products in the first five months of the year was estimated to reach USD 22.38 billion, up 30.3% year-on-year.

The export value of Vietnamese agricultural products keeps growing, despite the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The spotlight in manufacturing activities

The first six months of 2021 have witnessed two waves of Covid-19 outbreaks, in addition to the echo of natural disasters in 2020 that have struggled agriculture manufacturing activities. 

Thanks to the close, timely and correct direction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), production has become a bright spot in the agricultural picture. The ministry said that the country's rice production in the first 6 months of the year was estimated at 22.46 million tons, up about 8.8% against that of the previous year. 

When it comes to veggies, the whole country was estimated to cultivate around 580,000 hectares in Jan-June with the total output reaching 8.92 million tons, a slight increase year-on-year. 

In the field of farming, despite the uncertain development of African swine fever and lumpy skin disease, the herd of cows increased by about 2% while that of pigs and poultry rose 11.8% and 6.4% respectively. It is expected that by June 30, pork production can reach 1,735 million tons, poultry meat production may hit about 754.4 thousand tons.

The output of live meat meets the domestic demand. Live pork prices fell in the first 5 months of the year. 

The output of seafood in the first 6 months was expected to be about 3,948 thousand tons. Raw material shrimp market in the Mekong Delta in the month tended to decrease due to abundant supply. 

In the field of forestry, the area of newly concentrated afforestation was estimated at 85.2 thousand ha, up 12.2% over the same period last year. Timber production was estimated at 5,943.4 thousand m3, increasing by 5.4%; firewood production is estimated at 8.0 million ster.

Expanding market to consume agriculture products

Covid-19 outbreaks have cracked many supply chains especially when it comes to the delivery of agriculture products. Besides, many businesses have been hit hard due to human force and logistics shortages, and the fluctuation of international markets' demands. 

However, by drastically implementing the Government's guidelines and directions in the dual goal of fighting COVID-19 while developing socio-economy, exporting agricultural products in the first 5 months was estimated at USD 22.83 billion, up 30.3% year-on-year. 

Of which, the export value of primary agricultural products was estimated at USD7.78 billion, up 13%. Livestock export value was expected to hit USD 166 million, up 43.9%. Seafood export value was at around USD 3.24 billion, up 12%, and forest products commodities were estimated at USD 7.06 billion, up 61.8%.

Many products with high export value have increased sharply. For example, rubber surged by 58.7% in output and 93.9% in value. Tea output increased slightly by 6.5% while its value rose by 10.4%. Cashew nut increased 18.3% in output, 4.9% in value. Particularly, although the export volume of pepper decreased, the total export value increased by 25.2%, reaching USD387 million. 

Other products increased in value mainly thanks to the boost of export volume such as livestock products (up 43.9%), pangasius (7.8%), shrimp (4.9%); wood products (74.8%), rattan, bamboo, sedge carpet (76.8%); cinnamon (52.1%). Coffee and rice are two products that have decreased in both volume and value of exports.

Despite the decrease in export volume, rice still gives an optimistic signal when the average price is high, at USD543 per ton, up 11.9%. The Philippines is currently Vietnam's largest rice consumption market with a 35.6% market share; followed by China (18.1%) and Ghana (11.4%).

Regarding vegetables and fruits, dragon fruit, mango, and banana are the three staple exported items with the total export value was expected to hit USD 1.77 billion, up 18% against the previous year. 

The total export value of seafood was estimated at USD3.24 billion, up 12% over the same period in 2020. This item is forecasted to surge as Vietnam will take advantage of EVFTA and UKVFTA agreements in the coming time. Currently, the US, Japan, China, and South Korea are the top 4 export markets for Vietnamese seafood, accounting for 56.1% of total seafood export value.

Lychee is going to enter the main crop at the beginning of June. According to the Department of Crop Production, lychee production in Bac Giang, Hai Duong, and Hung Yen is estimated at 250,000 tons, of which exports account for about 50%, mainly in the form of fresh fruit to China.

MARD forecasts that this year’s lychee harvest will witness high selling prices and good consumption. Previously, the price of Hai Duong lychee at the beginning of the season ranged from VND30,000 to 60,000 per kilogram, while that of Bac Giang costs from VND20,000 to 30,000 per kilogram.