In the first quarter of 2021, although epidemic diseases on plants and animals are still potentially many risks; domestic and world markets continued to fluctuate due to the complicated developments of Covid-19, but the Agriculture sector still maintained a growth rate of 3.16%; in which, export of agricultural products achieved positive results (10.61 billion USD). However, many “barriers” such as: High transportation costs, increasing competition among export markets … require the Agriculture sector to make efforts to overcome to complete the export target of 42 billion USD in year 2021.
Processing coconut for export at the packaging factory Vina T&T Group Company, Chau Thanh district (Ben Tre province). Photo: PHUC HUYU
Many commodity groups have strong growth
According to statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in March alone, the export turnover of agricultural products reached 4.12 billion USD, up 57.4% compared to February 2021. Generally in the first quarter of 2021, the country’s agricultural exports reached 10.61 billion USD, up 19.7% over the same period last year. Worth mentioning, many commodity groups increased strongly, such as: Wood and wood products reached 3.94 billion USD, up 41.6%; livestock products reached 89 million USD, up 34.7%; vegetables, tubers and fruits reached 944 million USD, up 6.1% …
Deputy Director of Chanh Thu Fruit Import and Export Co., Ltd (Ben Tre province) Ngo Tuong Vy information: “Vietnamese fruit has been affirming its position in major markets such as the US, EU…; Export prices have increased significantly. To maintain a sustainable market, our company will continue to strengthen links with standard producers from major partners ”.
Explaining this positive result, Director of the Department of Agricultural Product Processing and Market Development (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) Nguyen Quoc Toan said that the Covid-19 translation is still complicated in many countries, making the circulation of goods difficult. However, food is always essential, especially in the context of natural disasters and epidemics strongly affecting many countries today. In the first quarter of 2021, a number of Vietnamese agricultural products achieved higher export value compared to the same period in 2020, such as: rubber, tea, vegetables, cassava, shrimp … Currently, exports of agricultural and forestry products, seafood to Asian markets accounted for 54.4% market share; the Americas is 32.2%; 11.8% in Europe … The remarkable point is that the quality of Vietnam’s agricultural exports has been significantly improved, helping the export value increase.
Standing Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ha Cong Tuan said: Vietnam’s agricultural products have gradually dominated many markets with strict requirements. Exporters have been more proactive in taking advantage of the new generation of free trade agreements; building many raw material areas, producing according to international standards …
Remove “barriers”, promote exports
The growth of Vietnam’s agricultural exports in the first quarter of 2021 brought many positive signals, but the turnover of a number of items decreased compared to the same period last year. In which, coffee reached 771 million USD, down by 11.3%; cashew nuts reached $ 634 million, down 5.8% … The decline mentioned above has many causes, but mainly due to high freight charges, the competition among exporters is getting bigger, and the quality of goods. qualified goods into “fastidious” markets that are not really stable …
According to the director of the Department of Agro-Processing and Market Development Nguyen Quoc Toan, these are the “barriers” that need to be removed for a more sustainable growth of agricultural exports in the rest of 2021 as well as in time. next.
Chairman of the Board of Directors Phuc Sinh Group (Ho Chi Minh City) Phan Minh Thong shared that, on average, each month, the enterprise exports 500-600 containers of coffee and pepper to Europe, but now there are only 120-150 containers. high shipping costs. Currently, businesses need support in updating information on the import needs of countries that sign a new generation of free trade agreements with Vietnam, in order to expand their market.
In order to solve difficulties in transporting agricultural products for export, Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) Tran Quoc Toan said that the functional agencies of the Ministry of Industry and Trade will continue to work closely with the Association. Vietnam logistics service enterprises and export commodity associations to rationally use and make the most of two-way container rotation. On the other hand, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to update the price situation and market developments to inform, disseminate and guide associations, businesses, production establishments to orient and organize and adjusted export business plans accordingly, promptly responding to negative market impacts.
According to Standing Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ha Cong Tuan, in the second quarter of 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development still kept the target of agricultural exports to reach $ 9.7 billion, aiming to complete the year target of 2021 to reach 42 billion USD. Therefore, in the coming time, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will work closely with ministries, branches, localities and counselors in other countries, promote agricultural trade promotion activities; at the same time, dissemination, market regulations, technical – commercial “barriers”, export orientation of agricultural products in key markets … On the other hand, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will guide businesses to make good use of opportunities. from the Vietnam – EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA); Vietnam – UK Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) …
Source: New Hanoi Newspaper
