Vietnam Unlocks Agro-Fishery Export Routes(Sep 24)

Vietnam Clears Channels for Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishery Product Exports

From now through the end of 2026, Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment faces the challenge of not only increasing export value but also maintaining growth momentum across major markets, clearing bottlenecks in promising commodity sectors, and swiftly resolving issues related to standards, logistics, and raw materials.

Consolidating Major Markets, Expanding New Space

According to data from Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, agricultural, forestry, and fishery product exports in the first eight months reached USD 49.3 billion. Of this, agricultural products accounted for USD 25.66 billion, forestry products USD 12.57 billion, fishery products USD 7.94 billion, and livestock products USD 511.9 million. Notably, fishery product exports grew by 10.9%, livestock products by 30%, and forestry products by 5.4%.

Market structure continues to highlight the prominent role of Asia. The Chinese market reached USD 11.2 billion, up 22.1%; the US market reached USD 9.4 billion, down 0.4%; and the Japanese market reached USD 3.3 billion, up 2%. China currently accounts for 22.7% of Vietnam's agricultural, forestry, and fishery export market share.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment stated that in the final four months of the year, it will continue to closely track various markets and commodity sectors, resolve technical barriers, accelerate the issuance of growing area codes and packaging facility codes, and improve traceability requirements. Against the backdrop of increasingly stringent standards in importing markets, these are tasks of decisive significance.

While consolidating traditional markets, the agricultural sector is also eyeing the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and other markets with potential, aiming to diversify risks and open more sales channels for advantageous commodity sectors.

Durian Needs More "Channels" for Accelerated Development

Durian is one of the sectors that can create significant value-added benefits in the remaining months of the year. Vietnam currently has approximately 200,000 hectares of durian orchards with an output of about 2.08 million tons. In 2021, durian exports were only about USD 177 million. By 2025, exports had surged to USD 3.85 billion. In the first eight months of 2026, durian export value is estimated at USD 1.95 billion, of which the Chinese market contributed approximately USD 1.85 billion, accounting for about 95%.

However, for durian to continue driving export growth, the industry needs to reorganize raw material zones, closely integrating production with primary processing, deep processing, preservation, and sales. Export of frozen durian and processed products has also been identified as a development direction to enhance added value and reduce reliance on fresh fruit. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is also planning to expand markets to India, Australia, and New Zealand.

The ministry's goal is to achieve at least USD 3.85 billion in durian exports in 2026, matching the 2025 level, while striving for a target of USD 4 billion.

Rice Under Pressure, Fishery Products Still Have Room for Development

Fishery products were a major bright spot in the first eight months of 2026, with export value reaching USD 7.94 billion, up 10.9%. This is one of the fastest-growing commodity groups in the agricultural, forestry, and fishery export structure.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers predicts that if bottlenecks in raw materials and logistics are resolved, full-year fishery product exports could reach USD 12.3–12.5 billion.

Additionally, data from the first eight months shows that Vietnam exported approximately 6 million tons of rice valued at USD 2.86 billion, with export volume and value down 6.3% and 11.9% year-on-year respectively. The Philippines remains the largest market with a 43.2% share; China accounts for 18.4%, and Ghana 11%. Notably, rice exports to China grew by 92.2% in value, while exports to the Philippines declined by 5.1%.

To achieve the USD 74 billion export target, the agricultural sector needs to generate USD 24.9 billion in export revenue in the final four months. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is focusing on consolidating markets and removing barriers to unleash the potential of various sectors.