Bustling export orders at the beginning of the year

According to a report from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, export turnover in January 2024 is estimated to reach 33.57 billion USD, up 6.7% compared to December 2023. Compared to the same period in 2023, export turnover in January 2024 increased by 42%; of which the domestic economic sector increased by 62.6%, the foreign invested sector (including crude oil) increased by 35.6%. This is also the month with the highest export turnover since September 2022.

Many new orders

According to statistics from the Mong Cai International Border Gate Management Board (Quang Ninh), on the morning of February 18, there were 95 vehicles exporting agricultural products to China through the Km3+4 Hai Yen pontoon bridge (Hai Yen ward, City). Mong Cai). Accordingly, more than 900 tons of agricultural products were exported to China, with an estimated value of 3.7 million USD.

Mr. Hoang Khanh Duy, Deputy Head of the Management Board of Dong Dang Border Gate Economic Zone (Lang Son province), said that customs clearance of goods at border gates in the area returned to normal after the Lunar New Year holiday. Previously, from February 14 to 17, there were import and export trucks passing through the areas of Huu Nghi and Tan Thanh border gates if registered in advance.

According to statistics from the Management Board of Dong Dang Border Gate Economic Zone, at the border gates there are about 800 imported vehicles/day and about 400 – 500 exported vehicles/day. The number of vehicles in stock is only about 200 vehicles. There is no congestion of goods because functional agencies such as border guards, customs, taxes… have plans to regulate and support businesses to declare online through digital border gate software. The infrastructure of the parking lots has also been upgraded and invested, ensuring about 1,000 imported and exported vehicles/parking lot.

Ms. Ly Kim Chi, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Food Association, announced the good news that since before the Lunar New Year, food industry enterprises have continuously received new export orders. Some businesses have received enough orders to produce until March and April, and some businesses are stable until June 2024.

“Global inflation is decreasing, inventory of this product group in the world is also decreasing, so partners are returning to placing orders. Many businesses have recruited more workers to promptly meet export orders” – Ms. Chi said.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Thuan, General Director of Loc Troi Group Joint Stock Company, said the company is organizing production to pay orders signed before the Lunar New Year. In particular, we must mention the import of rice to pay for the rice order of the Indonesian Government’s logistics agency (Bulog) of 65,000 tons that Loc Troi won the bid and was announced by Bulog in early February.

“In general, Vietnamese rice enterprises have won the bid for more than 400,000 tons of 5% broken white rice out of a total of 500,000 tons open for bidding for Bulog, Indonesia’s logistics agency. The largest export market is the Philippines (accounting for about 40% market share), recently a memorandum of understanding between Vietnam and the Philippines on rice trade cooperation was signed. This information shows the positive progress of Vietnamese rice exports this year. 2024” – Mr. Thuan commented.

However, according to Mr. Thuan, in 2024, because they do not know in advance the moves of India – the world’s largest rice exporter – on whether to continue implementing the export ban or not, businesses will still be hesitant. The state of not daring to keep large inventories, instead, maintaining the form of quick buying and quick selling.

Mr. Nguyen Thai Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, informed that since the beginning of the year, fruit and vegetable exports have had many positive changes from key markets such as China, the US, Europe… so the fruit and vegetable industry set a target of about 6.5 billion USD in exports by 2024.

The basis for the fruit and vegetable industry to set this goal is because the demand of the Chinese market is still large and Vietnam plans to open two new products: fresh coconut and frozen durian. China is the No. 1 market for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables. Transport is mainly by road, so it is not negatively affected by the recent increase in train fares between Europe and the US like some other products.

However, in 2024, the fruit and vegetable industry will still face challenges such as continuing to be affected by the Russia – Ukraine, Israel – Hamas conflicts, causing instability in the world economy and consumers tightening spending. Currently, many import partners want to sign long-term contracts with Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, but exporters do not dare to sign because domestic price fluctuations are very large and pose many potential risks.

Highlights of agriculture and fisheries

Regarding the cashew industry, Mr. Vu Thai Son – Chairman of the Board of Directors of Long Son Joint Stock Company, Chairman of Binh Phuoc Cashew Association – forecasts that by 2024, cashew nut exports are likely to decrease in value even though export output will still increase. due to reduced selling prices. The reason is due to the increase in raw cashew output imported into Vietnam.

Regarding the market, demand from the US and China is still high, especially when the price level is low. “To achieve efficiency in production, businesses should not compete to buy raw materials, pushing up raw material prices while not being able to increase the price of finished products. There are a lot of raw cashew nuts, next year will be higher than last year, so the Businesses need to be alert and avoid buying at high prices” – Mr. Son recommended.

According to Ms. Ly Kim Chi, the Government’s current orientation is still based on the agricultural economy for sustainable development. Therefore, it will be very convenient for businesses to export rice, vegetables and some deeply processed products. The bright spot of current agricultural exports is that Vietnam no longer exports mass rice like before but increases high quality rice varieties.

“In addition to the state’s policies, Ho Chi Minh City is applying Resolution 98 to put into production, creating a basis for businesses to formalize a number of activities. Right on February 19, the Financial Investment Company The State has signed with the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association to support businesses in key industries and a number of other industries to access capital in Ho Chi Minh City’s investment stimulus program, helping businesses mobilize capital with interest. preferential rates or interest rate compensation (0% interest rate) on production, from which businesses can feel secure in investing and developing production” – Ms. Chi added.

According to a report from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in January 2024, there were 7 products with export turnover of over 1 billion USD, accounting for 65.7% of total export turnover, including: wood and wood products; textiles and garments; computers, electronic products and components… The agricultural and aquatic products group continues to be a bright spot in the country’s export picture with an estimated turnover of 3.33 billion USD, an increase of 9.1%. compared to December 2023 and accounting for 9.9% of the country’s total export turnover. Of which, cassava and cassava products increased by 93.4%, estimated to reach 274 million USD; Next is vegetables and fruits, increasing by 24.9%, estimated at 510 million USD; Cashew nuts and tea increased by over 10%.

The main reason is that the price advantage of agricultural products in January 2024 continues to increase, while the price of products in the processing industry group is still in a downward trend (coffee price increased by 35.2 % over the same period last year, reaching an average of 2,955 USD/ton; rice price increased by 33.5%, reaching an average of 693 USD/ton; pepper price increased by 14.8%, reaching 3,953 USD/ton; rubber price increased by 3.7%…).

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) said that in January 2024, the export turnover of agriculture – forestry – fishery products increased. Regarding the market, the export value of agriculture – forestry – fishery products to all markets increased. Of which, exports to Asia reached 2.52 billion USD, an increase of 86.3%; Americas 1.18 billion USD, up 93.6%; Europe 532 million USD, up 38.2%; Africa 104 million USD, an increase of 185.4%… Export value to China accounts for 23%, an increase of 106.9%; The US accounted for 20.8%, an increase of 95.9% and Japan accounted for 7.4%, an increase of 47.5%.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien commented that the market is recovering well. “Exports of every product increased dramatically. Exports of rice, shrimp, pangasius, and rubber all grew by 52.6% – 81% depending on the product; exports of cashew nuts increased by 129%, and vegetables and fruits increased by 112%. , coffee increased by 103%…” – Mr. Tien cited.

According to the leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in the period 2021 – 2023, the agricultural sector has basically completed its tasks, 2024 is the year of acceleration and the export results of the first month of the year signal a favorable year.