Ministry of Industry and Trade meets with Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to remove difficulties for agricultural product export

To assess the export situation of rice and vegetables in the first 4 months of 2024 and discuss solutions to remove difficulties and promote exports in the last months of the year, on May 28, 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development co-chaired a meeting on the production, business and export situation of agricultural products with the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs, leaders of the Vietnam Food Association, the Vietnam Rice Industry Association, the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association and functional units of relevant ministries and branches.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien delivered the opening speech at the meeting (Photo: Can Dung)

Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said that Vietnam's rice and fruit production and export situation in late 2023 and the first months of 2024 was quite favorable and achieved many positive results. Rice and fruit exports increased in both volume and value.

Associations and enterprises have effectively exploited traditional markets, while opening up many new and potential markets. The brand of rice and many Vietnamese fruit and vegetable products continues to be affirmed in the international market. Many enterprises and producers have accessed and better exploited the advantages of FTAs ​​of which our country is a member. Industry associations have been playing an active role, helping member enterprises improve the quality of production and import-export activities of agricultural products.

However, in addition to the achieved results, the production and export of rice and vegetables in our country in recent times still have limitations and weaknesses that need to be focused on overcoming. Accordingly, some growing areas have developed too rapidly in scale but do not comply with the process of ensuring quality standards. Production and export enterprises have not carefully studied the requirements and signals of the export market, so they cannot affirm their product brands. Export enterprises participate in bidding for large shipments to key markets, but the price is much lower than other partners (even lower than domestic). At some times, the selling price is pushed too high, while the quality is not commensurate. The role of industry associations in creating consensus to protect the interests of members, enterprises and national interests is still limited.

Overview of the meeting (Photo: Can Dung)

Therefore, at this meeting, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien hopes that delegates will focus on discussing and evaluating the production and export of rice and vegetables in the past time to identify the immediate and long-term difficulties and obstacles of enterprises and industry associations, clarify the causes (especially subjective causes) and solutions to overcome them. At the same time, evaluate and determine market demand as well as the ability to take advantage of opportunities from markets with FTAs ​​of which Vietnam is a member and discuss and propose mechanisms to enhance cooperation between ministries, functional branches with associations and enterprises as well as enhance the role of associations in production support activities and the formation of large export value chains, contributing to ensuring effective exports and improving the competitiveness and value of Vietnamese rice and vegetable products in the world market.

In recent times, the world situation has continued to fluctuate in a complex manner, greatly affecting economic growth, posing potential risks to global trade in goods, including rice and vegetables. However, with the synchronous and timely direction of the Government and the Prime Minister; the close and effective coordination of the Central Ministries, branches and localities; the export of agricultural products in general and the export of rice and vegetables in particular of our country continues to achieve positive results.

According to the General Department of Customs, in the first 4 months of 2024, Vietnam's rice and fruit and vegetable exports increased in both output and export value; of which rice exports increased by 9.5% in volume and 33.6% in value over the same period last year; fruit and vegetable exports increased by 38.1% in value. Export results to key and potential markets all achieved encouraging growth.

To achieve the above results, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has proactively coordinated with relevant ministries and branches to actively implement many key solutions to promote exports and develop markets. In particular, it focuses on negotiations to reduce import tariffs and continues to negotiate, sign and upgrade FTAs ​​with partners in many potential markets to open and develop export markets; at the same time, support businesses to improve their capacity and awareness of policy information and incentives of FTAs. Promote trade promotion activities, connect supply and demand of goods.

Promote the role of Vietnamese Trade Offices abroad in grasping and promptly providing information on markets and new regulations and policies of host countries, helping businesses and state management agencies have appropriate and feasible policy responses.

Actively support businesses to effectively exploit opportunities from FTAs ​​of which Vietnam is a member to expand and diversify markets and products, and boost exports, bringing Vietnamese rice and fruit and vegetable products deeper into the global value chain. Guide and support businesses to seek opportunities to penetrate and develop in new and potential market segments such as Halal food products, African and Latin American markets, etc.

Overview of the meeting (Photo: Can Dung)

According to forecasts by professional agencies, the world's demand for rice and vegetables will increase in the coming time due to the disruption of supply in many countries (affected by armed conflicts; geopolitical competition and trade wars between major countries). Requirements for product quality will be increasingly high; many technical barriers have been and are being erected by importing countries to protect domestic trade. Vietnam is continuing to promote negotiations, signing and upgrading FTAs ​​with partners in potential markets, creating favorable conditions for businesses to diversify markets, supply chains and export products, especially in new, potential, and under-exploited market segments/regions, such as: Halal food products, African markets, Latin America, etc. The above factors will strongly impact Vietnam's rice and vegetable trade activities in the coming time.

At the meeting, the leaders of the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) reported on the export situation of some agricultural products (rice, vegetables and fruits), the current situation and future orientations. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also informed about the production situation of some agricultural products (rice, vegetables and fruits) in the first 4 months of the year and the forecast for 2024. The leaders of the Vietnam Food Association; Vietnam Rice Industry Association; Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association also gave speeches at the meeting.

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Source: https://congthuong.vn/bo-cong-thuong-hop-voi-bo-nong-nghiep-va-phat-trien-nong-thong-go-kho-cho-xuat-khau-nong-san-322800.html