Agricultural, forestry and fishery exports to the EU increased by 42.95%
EU has always been one of Vietnam's leading important partners, not only in trade but also in investment, science and technology and development cooperation.
Notably, according to economic experts, after 5 years of implementation, EVFTA has created a strong driving force to promote growth of agricultural, forestry and fishery trade to European Union. At the same time, binding provisions and regulations in the agreement also support institutional reform and orient production towards green and sustainable direction.
Specifically, after 5 years of implementing EVFTA, Vietnam's agricultural, forestry and fishery exports to the EU have achieved remarkable results. Despite facing many major challenges, thanks to tariff incentives and market opportunities brought by EVFTA, export turnover of agricultural, forestry and fishery products to EU still grew positively, from 3.76 billion USD in 2019 to 5.437 billion USD in 2024, equivalent to an increase of 42.95%. In whole period of 2019 - 2024, average annual growth rate reached 8.3%.
For example, in Portuguese market, thanks to taking advantage of EVFTA, in 2024, Vietnam's exports to Portugal achieved a growth rate of 353% compared to the previous year. In the first quarter of 2025, growth rate continued to reach 313%, making Vietnam the second largest source of fish outside EU, after Ecuador and surpassing China.
Or like with Hungary, although it is a small market, in the first 5 months of the year, two-way trade turnover reached 360.09 million USD, up 9.4%. Of which, exports reached 269.98 million USD, up 8.5%; imports reached 90.11 million USD, up 12.4%. Thanks to advantages of EVFTA, Vietnam exports agricultural products to Hungary mainly coffee, cashew nuts, pepper, and rice. In 2024, Vietnam will export coffee to Hungary to reach 6.5 million USD (accounting for 10% of Hungary's total imports of this item); cashew nuts will reach 2.6 million USD (accounting for 32% of Hungary's total imports of this item); pepper reach 0.33 million USD (accounting for 5.2% of Hungary's total imports of this item); Rice reached 1,982 tons, worth 1.95 million USD (accounting for 3.8% of Hungary's total imports of this item).
At Vietnam - European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and Prospects Workshop held in Belgium in June 2025, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien commented that benefits brought by the EVFTA are especially meaningful when the EU is continuously one of the four largest export markets for agricultural, forestry and fishery products of Vietnam.
Thus, effective implementation of the EVFTA promotes increased turnover, contributing to ensuring a stable supply of agricultural products and food, responding to uncertain external factors occurring in the EU market. Thereby bringing great common benefits to both Vietnam and the EU.
Providing more information about potential agricultural, forestry and fishery products of Vietnam that can expand exports to EU under EVFTA, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that they are processed seafood with added value, processed coffee, fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, cashew nuts, wooden furniture, rubber, pepper and spices.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment also stated that with a market of more than 100 million people and implementing 17 FTAs, Vietnam has a huge demand for supplies, input materials as well as developing a logistics system for agriculture.
Therefore, businesses on both sides need to make the most of benefits of the EVFTA to diversify raw material supplies, receive advanced technology from the EU to serve production, processing and export of agricultural, forestry and fishery products, towards a sustainable agricultural model, adapting to climate change and deeply integrating into the global supply chain.
Not only promoting bilateral trade, EVFTA also increases investment attraction
To better utilize this FTA as well as promote agriculture, forestry and fishery products to EU, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that Vietnam expressed its desire to expand the export market for key agricultural, forestry and fishery products with strategic advantages thanks to tariff reduction commitments in EVFTA.
“This will be an important solution to help improve bilateral trade with the EU, maintain positive export growth momentum, and at the same time support Vietnam to strengthen its position in global value chains” - Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien commented.
Along with promoting bilateral trade, the EVFTA is also expected to help Vietnam attract more high-quality investment flows from EU countries into the agricultural sector, thereby improving product quality, production efficiency and meeting strict technical and environmental standards of European market.
Up to now, total registered capital of the EU in Vietnam has reached over 35 billion USD, focusing on fields of high technology, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, logistics. Some typical projects include: Lego (1 billion USD), Bosch (340 million USD), BW Industrial (100 million USD) ...
Mr. Bruno Jaspaert - Chairman of EuroCham commented that Vietnam is holding many advantages that not every country has. These are its geostrategic location, large reserves of rare earths, abundant natural resources, abundant labor force and the Government always accompanies businesses on every development journey. The ability to adapt, attract investment and maintain growth momentum will be key factors shaping Vietnam's long-term future.
After 5 years of implementing EVFTA, Vietnam and EU have achieved impressive results in trade and investment. From salmon, coconuts, mangoes to electronics and high-tech equipment, Vietnamese goods are increasingly stronger in EU market. At the same time, European businesses also consider Vietnam a strategic destination to expand production and access Asian market.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn