Minister Do Duc Duy works with the Vietnamese Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium

The EU market, with its trend towards green consumption, organic food, and certified products, is opening up great opportunities for Vietnamese agricultural products. Additionally, Vietnam has favorable natural conditions to produce many types of specialized agricultural products that the EU does not have, such as dragon fruit, mango, passion fruit, lychee, and longan. In 2024, Vietnam set a record by exporting 4.21 billion USD to the EU.

However, Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao noted that many Vietnamese exporting enterprises are still primarily focused on major markets such as China and the United States, with limited proactive engagement in the EU market.

The EU market is known for having extremely high standards when it comes to food quality and safety. Products exported to this market must comply with strict SPS regulations (which cover food safety inspection and quarantine, food additives, etc.) and TBT regulations (technical barriers to trade). Additionally, these products must meet stringent limits on pesticide residues.

At the working session, Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao provided an overview of the situation and outlined four main tasks: promoting the export of agricultural products and biotechnology; developing the marine economy; supporting forestry projects; and taking decisive actions to remove the IUU yellow card.

In this regard, the Ambassador suggested that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment should closely cooperate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to expand the export of Vietnamese agricultural products. At the same time, he emphasized the importance of connecting the overseas Vietnamese community, industry associations, and businesses in exporting to supermarket chains and small-scale restaurants. This would serve as a solid starting point for deeper penetration into the EU market.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thao emphasized that in order for agriculture to develop sustainably, the application of biotechnology is a critical factor. Belgium, with its advanced agricultural research infrastructure and cutting-edge biotechnology, has become a key strategic partner for Vietnam in the agricultural sector.

Belgium’s research on developing agriculture that is adaptable to climate change not only opens up significant opportunities for collaboration but also provides a platform for both countries to work together in addressing pressing challenges in agricultural production.

"In the near future, I hope to implement more collaborative programs between Vietnam and Belgium that will encourage greater involvement of businesses and investors in the development of biotechnology. Such initiatives will not only lead to the creation of high-quality agricultural products but will also contribute to environmental protection and significantly enhance the value of Vietnam’s agricultural sector", Mr. Thao remarked.

The European Union is currently at the forefront of global efforts in environmental protection and climate change adaptation. Within this context, the EU and Vietnam share a common strategy for the marine economy and have many similarities in the key pillars of marine economic development. This alignment provides Vietnam with a valuable opportunity to fully leverage its potential in this area and to engage in cooperation that benefits both parties.

Mr. Thao expressed his hope to accelerate internal procedures and resolve administrative barriers, ensuring that EU-supported forestry projects can be implemented more swiftly and efficiently. In addition, he emphasized the importance of strictly penalizing fishing vessels that violate IUU regulations and taking decisive measures to resolve the IUU yellow card issue within this year.

Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy expressed strong support for the idea of enhancing cooperation between Vietnam and the EU, particularly in the development of the marine economy. He emphasized that offshore wind power is an area that aligns well with both the needs and strengths of both parties, providing a promising avenue for collaboration.

Minister Do Duc Duy noted that in the past, the development and attraction of investment for offshore wind power projects had faced numerous challenges, mainly due to the absence of a clear and comprehensive legal framework. The process of surveying offshore wind potential was often lengthy, sometimes taking up to three years, due to various complex stages, including wind measurements, marine surveys, and other preparatory work.

"Starting from February 2025, the revised Electricity Law will come into effect, creating a solid legal foundation for the implementation of wind power projects in Vietnam. With full support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, I encourage his excellency the Ambassador to actively engage with the EU and large corporations, advocating for their involvement in supporting and investing in the offshore wind power sector. This will help accelerate the development of offshore wind energy in Vietnam", Minister Do Duc Duy stated.

Regarding seafood exports, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien highlighted the importance of learning from and developing high-tech offshore farming models, similar to those in Norway, to attract more businesses and boost exports. This approach would also help reduce the intense pressure on marine resources by shifting towards more sustainable farming methods. By adopting such advanced technologies, Vietnam could not only enhance production efficiency but also ensure the long-term sustainability of its marine resource exploitation.

In terms of trade promotion, the leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment agreed that the Vietnamese overseas business community plays a vital role as a bridge to enhance outreach, support, and expand the market within the EU. Minister Do Duc Duy further shared plans to to organize a specialized conference focused on agricultural exports to the EU. This conference would serve as a platform for sharing critical information, creating opportunities for large enterprises to form partnerships, and fostering collaboration with international partners.