Promote market opening for bilateral agricultural products between Vietnam and the EU

In order to strengthen cooperation on agro-forestry-fishery trade and food security with the EU, on September 20, MARD’s delegation, led by Minister Le Minh Hoan, visited and worked with the EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Janusz Wojciechowski, and the EU Agriculture Department.

During the working session, Minister Le Minh Hoan stated the Vietnamese government's views on its readiness to work with the international community to resolve the situation of food insecurity due to the impacts of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and conflict between countries.

In 2023, climate change caused extreme weather in many food-producing countries, and some countries restricted rice exports. This leads to rice prices rising to record levels, causing the risk of global food insecurity and affecting the poor in developing countries. However, Vietnam is expected to still be able to ensure rice exports at a level equivalent to or higher than in 2022. Thereby, demonstrating the supply capacity of the agriculture sector as well as clearly demonstrating that Vietnam is a responsible member for global issues, including food security and energy, climate change, and emerging pandemics.

To ensure food security, Vietnam advocates stabilizing 3.5 million hectares of rice land by 2030 and ensuring annual production of at least 35 million tons of rice. With this rice land area, Vietnam not only ensures food security for 100 million people but also ensures rice for export.

Vietnam also associates food security with water source security, eco-environmental protection, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development. Vietnam is a pioneer in a sustainable and resilient food system to resolve problems of food security, nutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, etc.

Vietnam plans to organize the International Rice Festival in December 2023 in Hau Giang province with the theme "Vietnamese rice linked with green growth" to promote the development of high-quality rice production, ensure food security, and adapt to climate change in the Mekong Delta. The Rice Festival is expected to have the participation of leaders of Government, ministries, branches, localities, some countries, and major international organizations. On this occasion, Minister Le Minh Hoan invited EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski to attend the Festival.

In the Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy for the period 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050, Vietnam aims to develop responsible, transparent, sustainable agriculture with green growth and be a responsible member for global food security. Minister Le Minh Hoan proposed strengthening cooperation with the EU in some of the following areas:

First, the Minister requested that the EU support small-scale farmers in transforming rice production according to sustainable and resilient directions to solve food safety problems and ensure livelihoods.

Second, it is recommended to promote South-South cooperation to ensure food security and sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food system transformation in developing countries.

Third, the Minister suggested that the EU establish a Food Innovation Network for Southeast Asia in Vietnam within the framework of the Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture in Vietnam to expand cooperation in policy research and development and promote the replication of green, environmentally friendly, low-emission, and sustainable models.

Speaking at the working session, Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski congratulated Vietnam for not only ensuring food security for 100 million people but also being the world's leading rice exporter in the context of climate change causing extreme weather conditions.

Mr. Wojciechowski affirmed that Vietnam-EU bilateral cooperation in agriculture is very good and wishes to continue to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam.

The Commissioner also strongly agreed with Minister Le Minh Hoan's views on the role of small-scale farmers in ensuring food safety not only in Vietnam but also globally; expressed concern about extreme weather phenomena currently happening in some main food-producing countries in Europe, such as Spain and Greece, and conflicts between countries causing a risk of food insecurity; and affirmed the role of cooperation in ensuring global food security.

At the same time, Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski emphasized the role of open trade in global food security. The EU representative supports Minister Le Minh Hoan's proposal on South-South cooperation and will have a voice with the EU’s relevant agencies to consider and promote this proposal. Thanking Minister Le Minh Hoan for the invitation, Mr. Wojciechowski said he is very interested in the Rice Festival organized by Vietnam and will attend if conditions allow.

Regarding bilateral trade, the Commissioner said that the Vietnam-EU agricultural product trade relationship is progressing well, and the two sides still have a lot of potential to promote Vietnam-EU bilateral trade. Vietnam is requested to accelerate market opening procedures for EU agricultural products to enter the Vietnamese market and recognize geographical indications according to the list that the EU has sent.

Responding to the Commissioner's request to open the market, Minister Le Minh Hoan asked specialized agencies of the two sides to actively work to promote market opening for bilateral agricultural products. Minister Le Minh Hoan also asked the EU to increase import quotas and supplement the list of Vietnamese fragrant rice exported to the EU.