Vietnam's agricultural sector is witnessing remarkable growth, boosting its export prospects significantly as the country aims for record-breaking revenues this year. Early data suggests strong performance across diverse products like coffee, seafood, and timber, culminating in ambitious targets set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
On March 3, 2025, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien reported impressive statistics indicating Vietnam's agricultural, forest, and fishery exports reached $4.4 billion in February alone, marking a 37% increase from the previous year. This cumulative figure marks $9.38 billion across the first two months of 2025, reflecting over 8% growth year-on-year. Such figures are pivotal as Vietnam strives to meet its annual goal ranging from $64 billion to $65 billion, with aspirations to achieve $70 billion.
Specifically, Tien highlighted the soaring export value of coffee, which reached $1.58 billion, reflecting a 26% increase even when volume exports decreased by 28%. He stated, "This year, we anticipate coffee export value will reach $6 billion, surpassing last year's record of $5.62 billion." This positive trend indicates Vietnam's continued dominance within the global coffee market, emphasizing both quality and strategic pricing as key components of its success.
Other agricultural sectors also display considerable gains. The export of pepper, seafood, timber, and rubber has increased compared to the previous year, following strategic promotions of these commodities. Nonetheless, Tien acknowledged challenges with rice, vegetables, and fruits experiencing declines of 11% and 13% respectively. He noted, "We need to promote advantageous products to maintain growth momentum."
Moving forward, MARD is implementing methods to sustain and grow these positive trends. Tien outlined plans for enhancing market access, diversifying export products, and improving the overall quality of Vietnamese exports. This includes addressing agricultural price fluctuations and exploring new international partnerships, especially amid concerns related to global trade tensions.
"If agricultural exports reach the goal of $70 billion, it will exceed last year's record by about $5 billion," Tien affirmed, highlighting the government's commitment to supporting agricultural exports amid global challenges.
Particularly noteworthy is the strategic promotion of coffee and other agricultural products through various initiatives. The ministry's efforts not only aim to stabilize prices but also to bolster the reputation of Vietnam’s agricultural products on international platforms.
Despite the ups and downs of the market, MARD is confident they can lead the agriculture sector to success, urging agricultural producers to focus on quality and consistency. The data reinforces their strategy to maximize the benefits of exports.
Looking to the future, Tien concluded, “We will develop decisive measures to overcome the challenges present this year, ensuring our ambitious goals transform from vision to reality.”
This optimism is encapsulated by the flourishing market for Vietnamese coffee, known for its unique flavor and high quality, capturing both national and international attention.