Agricultural product exports continuously break records

Source: tuoitre.vn

Workers process and package bananas for export at Huy Long An Co., Ltd. in Duc Hue district, Long An province. Photo: tuoitre.vn

2024 will be no exception when for the first time in history, coffee exports exceed the 5 billion USD mark, cashew nut exports exceed 4 billion USD; fruits and vegetables exceed 1 billion USD in 2023; Exported shrimp brings in up to 4 billion USD; rice set a new record, bringing in nearly 6 billion USD…

Record after record

In 2024, Vietnam’s coffee industry will achieve a miracle export turnover reached 5.2 billion USD, exceeding the 5 billion USD mark for the first time in history.

According to Mr. Nguyen Nam Hai – Chairman of the Vietnam Coffee – Cocoa Association, the increase in export coffee prices is the main factor leading to this success, even though export output is down 14% compared to 2023.

The average coffee price peaked at 5,720 USD/ton in October. Although it decreased slightly in November, it still remained high, more than 5,580 USD/ton. This is a dream price for the coffee industry, contributing to increasing turnover by more than 35%.

In particular, according to the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), 2024 will see Vietnamese coffee prices reach the highest level in the world.

Vietnamese Robusta coffee sometimes even surpasses the price of Arabica coffee. The Ministry evaluates coffee as the agricultural product with the strongest increase in value among the main export groups.

During the year, Vietnam’s cashew industry made a mark when it achieved an export turnover of 4.2 billion USD, the first time output exceeded 700,000 tons. This is an important milestone, far exceeding the goal of 4 billion USD set for 2020.

Despite facing economic difficulties and rising logistics costs, cashew exports still grow positively.

According to Ms. T. Diem – owner of a cashew export business in Binh Phuoc, traditional markets such as the US and Europe still highly appreciate the quality of Vietnamese cashews, especially processed cashews. American consumers increasingly prioritize Vietnamese cashews thanks to competitive prices.

In 2024, industry Vietnamese rice reached an export record of 9 million tons, bringing in 5.7 billion USD, far exceeding the achievement of 8.1 million tons in 2023. This is the biggest winning year ever, especially in key markets like the Philippines and China.

An export enterprise in Dong Thap shared that orders increased sharply, many contracts were deposited and delivered long distances.

The business focuses on high-quality, fragrant rice, gradually replacing low-grade rice. Rice varieties such as Dai Thom 8, OM 18 and ST are popular in the international market, bringing high economic value to both farmers and businesses.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Nam, president of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA), commented that 2024 has set a new record, affirming the sustainability of the rice industry.

During the year, Vietnamese fruits and vegetables made a mark with export turnover reaching 7.1 billion USD, an increase of 27% compared to 5.6 billion USD in 2023, joining the group of products agricultural products Exports exceeded the 5 billion USD mark such as coffee and rice.

A notable bright spot is that Vietnamese bananas surpassed Philippine bananas for the first time, taking the number 1 position in the choice of Chinese consumers.

Durian also made a breakthrough, with export turnover, including frozen durian, reaching 3.2 billion USD, up nearly 50% over the previous year. Products such as fresh coconut are also attracting great interest from the Chinese market.

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said that Vietnamese fruits and vegetables are increasingly advantageous thanks to abundant output, improved quality and competitive prices.

Graphics: tuoitre.vn

Quality is the key for the future

Many unexpected results with Vietnamese agricultural products exported in the past year mean that 2025 will continue to support the desire for this growth to be sustainable. To do this, many experts, businesses, and industry associations believe that there are still many realities of looking back and putting quality first.

Vietnam’s rice industry is facing challenges when the price of 5% broken rice in early December 2024 decreased to 485 USD/ton, lower than Thailand’s (501 USD/ton) and the lowest level in the past 19 months. The year 2025 is expected to be more difficult when India increases exports, pushing global supply up.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Nam admitted that competition will be fiercer. Faced with this situation, a rice export business in Ho Chi Minh City said that the industry needs to promote trade promotion, taking advantage of free trade agreements to expand potential markets.

In addition, developing high-quality rice growing areas, converting crop structure and combining other agricultural models are necessary solutions.

“Closely monitoring the market and improving product quality will determine the success of Vietnamese rice in the difficult period ahead,” this business emphasized.

Although Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable industry achieved impressive export results in 2024, challenges still exist, especially dragon fruit’s negative growth due to not being able to compete with Chinese dragon fruit in terms of price, even though the quality is not inferior. .

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen believes that it is necessary to promote dragon fruit exports to demanding markets such as Japan and Korea and focus on developing products that China does not have, such as fresh coconuts. At the same time, it is necessary to deeply process fruits such as jackfruit, mango, or frozen durian to increase value.

Mr. Vu Thanh Xuan, owner of a fruit export business in Khanh Hoa, emphasized that raising awareness and compliance with international standards among farmers and businesses is the decisive factor. “It is necessary to focus on quality instead of massively expanding the area, especially with agricultural products such as durian and coconut,” Mr. Xuan recommended.