Added value of agricultural products expected to reach over 4%

Restructuring the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector not only focuses on improving productivity but also on reorganizing effective production.

Q1/2025: Foundation for growth

The first quarter of 2025 recorded positive results, creating momentum for the agriculture and forestry sector. According to data, the export turnover of agriculture and forestry reached 15.72 billion USD, an increase of 13.1% over the same period in 2024. Key products such as coffee, seafood and forestry products all recorded growth in value, of which coffee increased by 49.5%, seafood increased by 18.1%, and forestry products increased by 11.2%.

However, some items such as vegetables and fruits decreased by 11.3%, requiring timely solutions. The trade balance of the agricultural and forestry sector also achieved a surplus of 4.4 billion USD, up 13.1%, showing great potential to achieve the export target of 65 billion USD for the whole year.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, international markets are expanding opportunities for Vietnamese agricultural products. Singapore has opened its market to Vietnamese eggs and poultry meat, while Brazil has reduced technical requirements for imported pangasius, creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses. Cooperation with the United States has also been promoted, with the removal of technical barriers to expand cooperation between Vietnamese and American agricultural products, especially in the context of the two countries aiming to celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

At the meeting on April 1, 2025, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy chaired the assessment of the Action Plan, proposing strategic solutions to ensure the industry successfully "reaches the finish line". With positive signals from the first quarter of 2025 and timely adjustments, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is demonstrating strong determination to achieve the set goals.

At the meeting, Minister Do Duc Duy emphasized the growth target of 4% for the agriculture and environment sector in 2025, higher than the initial 3.5%. Specifically, the added value of the agriculture and forestry sector is expected to reach 4% or more, with the following main sectors: agriculture increasing by 3.85% (crop cultivation 2.4-2.9%, livestock 5.7-5.98%), aquaculture increasing by 4.35%, and forestry increasing by 5.47%. In parallel, the export turnover of agriculture and forestry is targeted at 65 billion USD, with the ambition to reach 70 billion USD.

To achieve these goals, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has implemented many strategic solutions. The Department of Planning and Finance has drafted the 2025 Action Plan, seeking comments from relevant units to ensure feasibility. The Minister requested units to complete and issue detailed plans before April 5, 2025, while closely following the Government's strategic plans, programs and projects.

Minister Do Duc Duy affirmed that, although there are only 3 quarters left to achieve the 4% growth target, with the determination and efforts of the units, the agriculture and fisheries sector can completely achieve the set targets. He requested the Department of Planning and Finance and related units to urgently review and adjust the plan, clearly define responsibilities and completion deadlines. With positive signals from the first quarter of 2025, along with strategic solutions such as market expansion, production optimization, application of science and technology and administrative reform, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is laying a solid foundation for the agriculture and fisheries sector to not only achieve the 4% growth target but also aim for an export turnover of 65-70 billion USD, contributing significantly to the sustainable development of the country.

Concretize management and production solutions

Mr. Ngo Hong Phong, Director of the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development, emphasized that removing technical barriers is a top priority. The Department will organize a workshop to disseminate Halal standards to support businesses and cooperatives (HTX) to access the Middle East market - an area with great potential, especially for pangasius. At the same time, the Department will coordinate with the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper to organize the 970 Agricultural Product Connection Forum for the vegetable, root and fruit industry, to find solutions to overcome the decline in export turnover.

Mr. Le Duc Thinh, Director of the Department of Economic Cooperation and Rural Development, said that this unit is implementing a pilot project to build raw material zones in 11 provinces, focusing on key crops. The project not only expands production scale but also invests in infrastructure, reorganizes production and promotes links between cooperatives and enterprises. Mr. Thinh said: "Thanks to a comprehensive approach and training programs to improve skills, raw material costs can be reduced by 15-20%, helping to improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products". The Department has also completed a handbook on building raw material zones and proposed land investment policies to support enterprises and cooperatives in stabilizing production.

Minister Do Duc Duy emphasized that restructuring the industry should not only focus on improving productivity but also on reorganizing production effectively. "Land area cannot increase forever, so we need to improve the quality and added value of products," he noted. Solutions include improving processing technology, ensuring food safety, and building a reputable, high-quality agricultural and forestry brand.

In addition, Minister Do Duc Duy requested synchronous administrative reform and reduction of complicated procedures to shorten the time to implement new projects and products. He cited the example of the plant seed industry, where it takes up to a decade to develop a new variety, and emphasized the need to accelerate the application of science and technology (S&T) into practice. Units were required to emphasize the international integration factor in the S&T strategy, while adding solutions to improve processing and food safety.

Digital transformation is also a focus of the Ministry's orientation. He emphasized: "The lack of accurate information about the epidemic, prices and output has led to many misunderstandings in society. We need to improve communication work, especially in emergency situations."

In addition to the economic growth target, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment also focuses on environmental protection. Minister Do Duc Duy asked units to deploy synchronous, creative and effective solutions to solve environmental problems, from natural resource management, emission reduction in agricultural production, to climate change response. Programs such as the One Million Hectare High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice Project will be promoted to ensure both output and environmental protection.

Do Huong

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/gia-tri-gia-tang-cac-san-pham-nong-nghiep-ky-vong-dat-tren-4-102250402090045439.htm