Seed exports pave the way for agriculture to go global

Mr. Tran Manh Bao, Chairman of the Viet Nam Seed Trade Association and Chairman of the Board of ThaiBinh Seed, emphasized that seed exports should receive greater attention in agricultural development strategies, rather than focusing solely on raw agricultural exports.

According to him, Viet Nam has made notable progress in breeding and seed production, particularly for key crops. However, bringing these varieties to international markets remains limited, largely due to the lack of clear coordination mechanisms and strategic direction.

He cited Cambodia, a neighboring country with similar conditions, as a practical opportunity for expansion. Vietnamese enterprises, he noted, can engage more deeply in agricultural production there through supplying seeds, organizing cultivation areas, and linking to export channels.

“We need to tap this market in a more structured and systematic way,” he said at a conference with industry associations on promoting agricultural, forestry, and fishery exports in 2026, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment on May 4. He also suggested that the Ministry should work directly with Cambodian counterparts or organize specialized delegations to establish formal cooperation mechanisms.

In addition, a bilateral cooperation framework would make it easier for businesses to register varieties, implement production, and reduce risks in case of disputes. Without such a framework, spontaneous activities could complicate management and the protection of business interests.

He also pointed out that domestic crop production, especially of traditional crops such as rice, maize, and cassava, still faces limitations in investment and technology adoption. Meanwhile, other countries in the region have seen stronger private sector participation and more systematic investment, creating increasing competitive pressure.

Adding to this perspective, Mr. Tran Xuan Dinh noted that the seed sector still holds significant growth potential, especially as fruit and vegetable exports have surged from under USD 1 billion to around USD 10 billion over the past decade.

According to him, demand for high-quality seeds is rising rapidly, while domestic production capacity remains limited, particularly for hybrid vegetable seeds and high-tech varieties. Currently, about 90% of vegetable seeds are imported, with local production largely confined to simpler varieties.

He also pointed out that many enterprises, including foreign-invested ones, face challenges in seed import procedures. A major issue with current quarantine regulations is that they require costly sampling, even for small shipments. In some cases, sampling costs can reach tens of millions of VND, even when shipments contain only a few seed types.

“Some consignments include just a few varieties but still have to undergo full sampling procedures, significantly increasing costs for businesses,” he said, suggesting that regulations should be adjusted to be more flexible and better suited to the nature of the products.

In addition, Mr. Dinh emphasized that Viet Nam needs to engage more deeply in international seed systems and networks to strengthen research and production capacity, gradually moving toward seed exports. He proposed reviewing regulations on quarantine, product classification, and tax policies, and improving the legal framework to better support the development of a robust seed industry.

In practice, seed exports are no longer viewed as a standalone commodity but are being positioned within the broader strategy of exporting an “agricultural ecosystem.” Under the orientation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the sector is shifting from exporting raw products to high value-added offerings, with science and technology, production processes, and value chains at the core.

Statistics show that science and technology now contribute more than 30% of added value in agricultural production, spanning seeds, cultivation, plant protection, processing, and traceability. This forms the foundation for developing “package exports,” including seeds, technical know-how, equipment, and production organization, rather than merely selling raw agricultural goods.

The Ministry is currently formulating a project on exporting the agricultural ecosystem for the 2026-2030 period, with a vision toward 2045. Initial target markets include “close partners” such as Laos, Cambodia, Cuba, and several African countries - regions with strong demand for farming solutions, value chain management, and agricultural workforce training.

This direction has also been emphasized at the highest level, with Party General Secretary and President To Lam calling for the agricultural sector to “export agricultural technology abroad,” gradually bringing Viet Nam’s experience, production models, and entire agricultural system to international markets.

In this context, plant varieties are considered the starting point of the value chain. From seeds, businesses can expand into technology transfer, development of farming areas, supply of inputs and equipment, and the establishment of production models overseas.

If implemented in a synchronized manner, seed exports could become a “gateway” for Vietnamese agriculture to transition from exporting goods to exporting production capacity, thereby enhancing added value and strengthening its position in global markets.