AsemconnectVietnam - According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the General Department of Customs, in the first 8 months of 2024, Vietnam's rice and fruit and vegetable exports both grew strongly.

Specifically, in the first 8 months of this year, fruit and vegetable exports totaled over 4.72 billion USD, a sharp increase of 33.2% compared to the first 8 months of 2023.
Meanwhile, rice exports reached over 3.8 billion USD, an increase of more than 21% over the same period last year.
Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports in August and the first 8 months of 2024
According to the General Department of Customs, in the first 8 months of this year, the export of fruit and vegetable products reached over 4.72 billion USD, a sharp increase of 33.2% compared to the first 8 months of 2023.
In August of 2024 alone, exports reached 843.59 million USD, an increase of 52.8% compared to July of 2024 and an increase of 81.8% compared to August of 2023.
China was still the main market for Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports, accounting for 65.2% of the total fruit and vegetable export turnover of the country. In the first 8 months of 2024, fruit and vegetable exports to this market reached over 3.08 billion USD, a sharp increase of 36.4% compared to the first 8 months of 2023. In August of 2024 alone, exports to this market reached 591.17 million USD, an increase of 78.8% compared to July of 2024 and an increase of 122% compared to August of 2023. Following the main market of China was the US market with over 226.82 million USD, an increase of 35.1% compared to the first 8 months of 2023, accounting for 4.8%; South Korea reached 214.57 million USD, an increase of 45.4%, accounting for 4.5%; Thailand reached 163.42 million USD, an increase of 89.5%, accounting for 3.5%; Japan reached 135.49 million USD, up by 10.3%, accounting for 2.9%.
In general, fruit and vegetable exports to most markets in the first 8 months of 2024 increased in turnover compared to the first 8 months of 2023.
Vietnam's rice exports in August and the first 8 months of 2024
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, by the end of August of 2024, the whole country had planted nearly 6.6 million hectares of rice; harvested an estimated 4.45 million hectares; harvested output was estimated at more than 28.7 million tons, up by 1.2% over the same period last year. In the first 8 months of 2024, rice exports reached over 3.8 billion USD, up by more than 21% over the same period last year. The exports of rice reached nearly 6.2 million tons, up by nearly 6%. The average rice export price in the first 8 months reached 625 USD/tonne, up by 14.8%.
Commenting on the rice export market in the remaining months of 2024, Mr. Nguyen Nhu Cuong - Director of the Department of Crop Production (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) said that the demand for rice imports from traditional customers of Vietnam such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc. will continue to remain high. Along with that, our country's rice exporting enterprises are also actively expanding to new markets such as the Middle East, Africa, South America, Japan, South Korea, etc. Therefore, it is forecasted that in 2024, domestic rice production is estimated to reach about 43.4 million tonnes of paddy and about 8 million tonnes of rice can be exported.
Sharing the same view on this issue, Mr. Phung Duc Tien - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development assessed that although Vietnam's rice area has decreased to 7.12 million hectares, the rice export output is still guaranteed thanks to new rice varieties, high productivity and quality. With the increase in imports from partners, our country's rice exports are expected to reach about 8 million tonnes this year, earning more than 5 billion USD and a new record for the industry.
On the business side, it is also assessed that demand is high, in the context of a shortage of supply from other countries and the quality of Vietnamese rice is improving day by day, therefore, rice exports are expected to continue to "brighten" in the last months of the year. With the export results of the first months of the year and recent market developments, businesses believe that in 2024, Vietnam's rice exports may reach the 5 billion USD mark for the first time.
Vietnam to continue to open up the market, promote trade promotion
In addition to the favorable aspects, according to experts, in 2024, the global rice trade market will still face challenges: the global rice supply will decrease (due to the continued impact of rice export bans from some markets such as India, UAE, Russia and the El Nino phenomenon, climate change, in many regions); the geopolitical situation is still complicated; and it is forecast to affect the rice export business activities of Vietnamese traders in the last months of 2024.
To develop the market and promote trade, the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) - said that the Department will continue to flexibly organize and implement trade promotion activities, combining traditional and online forms to strengthen and promote cooperation in rice trade with traditional markets such as Indonesia, Africa, China, etc.; as well as to exploit niche markets with fragrant rice and high-quality rice that we have penetrated in recent years such as the EU, South Korea, the United States, North America, etc.
In addition, we should also strengthen market information work; maintain reporting and information provision from Trade Offices and Trade Office branches in countries and territories to monitor and closely follow developments in the world market situation, especially the situation of major markets to promptly propose handling measures; proactively take measures to respond when there are unusual developments, promote rice exports.
At the same time, we should coordinate with diplomatic missions and trade representative agencies abroad to continue supporting enterprises in promoting rice exports; strengthen diplomatic activities and direct and support the Vietnam Trade Office in grasping information and market developments, mobilize competent authorities of countries to pay attention to rice supply from Vietnam and strengthen rice trade relations with Vietnam as well as organize to invite foreign business delegations to Vietnam to connect with Vietnamese enterprises in the coming time.
Currently, rice prices are increasing again due to favorable exports, many types of rice have increased in quantity and price. This growth not only benefits farmers but also contributes significantly to the agricultural economy of the Mekong Delta in particular and the whole country in general. However, to maintain the sustainable growth momentum of Vietnam's rice industry, experts say that there needs to be close coordination between farmers, businesses and state management agencies.
CK
Source: VITIC/congthuong.vn