Vietnam to accelerate AFF exports to reach the USD 65 billion target

Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has just issued a Plan to boost the export of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products in 2025 to achieve the target of USD 65 billion in export turnover.

This plan is based on forecasts that total export turnover in the second half of the year will reach USD 31.6 billion, a decrease of 4.8% compared to the same period last year, with an estimated value drop of around USD 1.6 billion if the current reciprocal tax rates are maintained. Meanwhile, in the first half of the year, export value was estimated at USD 33.5 billion, and import value at USD 23.5 billion, up 14.3% and 23.5% respectively year-on-year.

The Ministry outlined a roadmap: total export turnover is expected to exceed USD 17 billion in the second quarter, reach USD 14–15 billion or more in the third quarter, and exceed USD 16 billion in the fourth quarter.

To achieve the target of USD 65 billion in exports this year, the Ministry has proposed solutions, including market expansion, product diversification, and leveraging the benefits of 17 signed bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements (FTAs).

In addition, the Ministry recommended that specialized agencies proactively coordinate with northern border localities to monitor, update, and forecast the flow of goods in the region, to ensure proper vehicle regulation and minimize congestion that could affect the pace of exports in the final months of the year. At the same time, decisive actions must maintain exports in traditional markets, introduce appropriate product lines, and add commodity groups that can increase export value in potential markets.

Particularly, products with growth potential, such as coffee, cashew nuts, shrimp, fish, and specialty fruits, will continue to receive support in trade promotion and process standardization to meet strict traceability and quality requirements from the United States, the EU, and China. Moreover, promising markets such as the Middle East, ASEAN, and South America will be further explored.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment also requires localities to proactively prepare standardized material areas, develop planting area codes, and packing facilities to ensure supply for export. Enterprises must flexibly shift markets, focus on deep processing, and increase added value to enhance competitiveness amid rising tax rates and logistics costs.

With the recovery momentum of many product groups and the implementation of aggressive regulatory measures, the agriculture and environment sector expects to achieve the target of USD 65 billion in export turnover, contributing to stabilizing the national trade balance and ensuring sustainable income for farmers.