Growth optimistic, agriculture continues to be the pillar of the economy

Seafood exports recover

Analyzing data from the Agriculture and Rural Development sector, Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong - General Director of the General Statistics Office - assessed: Seafood exports are gradually recovering, in the first quarter of 2024, seafood exports increased by 1.9% over the same period last year and are forecasted to continue to increase, especially in the last 6 months of 2024. Exports to traditional markets, especially the US, Japan... are showing a tendency to grow again.

“These are positive signs for continued development of seafood production. Currently, Vietnam accounts for about 45-50% of the total global supply of pangasius. In addition, the impact of Russia-Ukraine geopolitics has reduced the global supply of pollock, especially in European countries. This type of white fish is the same as pangasius, causing global demand for pangasius to increase in conditions of low supply,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong.

The area for raising pangasius is forecasted to increase gradually in the next few months because at the current price, fish farmers earn a profit of about 1,500 VND/kg of pangasius sold. With the current recovery momentum, the expected pangasius output in the coming time will meet the demand for processing and export.

Shrimp production continues to apply effective production models and high-tech models, especially the super-intensive white-leg shrimp farming model, while businesses in the industry continue to make efforts to expand export markets. It is forecasted that the output of key products such as pangasius, tiger shrimp, and white-leg shrimp in the following quarters will be quite good compared to the same period last year, while aquaculture output in the remaining quarters is likely to increase by 3% - 3.5% compared to the same period last year.

Seafood exports are forecast to grow well in 2024. Photo: Vu Long

It is known that currently, the General Department of Customs of China is continuing to review the legality to sign 3 Protocols with Vietnam as soon as possible.

"When these products are officially exported, it will create room for billions of dollars in revenue growth for the agricultural sector," said Ms. Huong.

The agricultural sector reaped many bright spots in the first quarter.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in the first 3 months of 2024, the agricultural sector still achieved good growth; productivity and output of many key products increased, ensuring adequate supply of food, foodstuffs, and essential goods, contributing to the overall growth of the country's economy.

Regarding the growth rate of production value of agricultural, forestry and fishery products, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said that the first quarter of 2024 is estimated to reach 2.9-3% compared to the same period in 2023 (of which crop production increased by 2.02%; livestock increased by 4.34%, aquaculture increased by 3.46%; forestry increased by 4.11%).

“The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the entire sector have identified and thoroughly implemented the motto of action for the year as "Discipline, responsibility, proactiveness, speed, innovation, sustainable efficiency" in advising the Government and the Prime Minister, closely coordinating with ministries, sectors and localities; mobilizing resources to promptly deploy and synchronously implement tasks and solutions for agricultural and rural development. The total export turnover of agriculture, forestry and fishery products is estimated at 13.53 billion USD, up 21.8% over the same period last year; trade surplus of 3.36 billion USD, up 96.5%" - Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien emphasized.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong assessed: The agriculture, forestry and fishery sector ensures food security, stabilizes people's lives, and is the pillar of the economy.

“In the first quarter of 2024, the output of winter-spring rice in the Mekong Delta increased; pork output increased by 4.6%; poultry output increased by 5.1%; poultry egg output increased by 4.8%; fresh cow's milk output increased by 5.2%... showing that the livestock industry is gradually recovering. The output of fruit trees in the first quarter increased quite well: durian increased by 27.1%; banana increased by 3.6%; orange increased by 4.1%; mango increased by 3.6%... showing that the agricultural sector has many bright spots in the first quarter of 2024" - Ms. Huong assessed.

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