Farm produce sales boosted

Vietnam is implementing several programs to promote the trade and export of farm products now that the COVID-19 epidemic has been contained in the country. These programs increase the connectivity between farmers and enterprises.

Vietnam’s major farm product exports include rice, coffee, rubber, cashew nuts, pepper, vegetables, tra fish, shrimp, timber, and wood products. Exports of coffee, rice, cashew nuts, and vegetables are each worth 1 billion USD a year. Vietnamese agricultural products are now sold in more than 160 countries and territories.

Last year, Vietnam earned more than 41 billion USD from agricultural exports. China, Vietnam’s largest market, accounts for nearly 27% of the total export value. The US follows with nearly 22% and the EU with 12%. Vietnam is becoming the main Asian supplier of agricultural products to the world.

The COVID-19 epidemic has made Vietnam’s export of agricultural products more difficult. The Trade Promotion Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade is helping localities develop brand names, particularly for products grown under the One Commune, One Product program, a program that promotes local specialties. Businesses have strengthened their cooperation with farmers to ensure markets for all agricultural products.

Nguyen Thi Phuong, Deputy Director of Centra Group Vietnam, said: “We purchase products directly from farmers and cooperatives. We have asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to give us a list of products that should be exported to China but are currently stranded because of the epidemic, so we can help the farmers with marketing and sales.”

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has worked closely with associations, enterprises, and localities to strengthen trade promotion and sales at supermarkets and stores. Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong said:  “This month, we will promote Vietnamese agricultural products in the Middle East, the US, Japan, Brazil, and several other markets. We need to strengthen value chains and processing to expand the market.”