Opportunities in both markets and products are huge
In the first 7 months of 2025, seafood exports reached 6.22 billion USD, up 17.2% over the same period in 2024. Ms. To Thi Tuong Lan, Deputy Secretary General of Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, predicted that in the last months of the year, the picture of Vietnam's seafood exports is expected to be "both challenging and hopeful".
However, opportunities are still wide open. Strong recovery of Chinese, ASEAN and Japanese markets, along with signal of removing technical barriers from EU, opens up growth space for deeply processed product lines.
Notably, trade agreements such as EVFTA, CPTPP, UKVFTA continue to create superior tariff advantages compared to competing countries. It is forecasted that in 2025, seafood exports may reach about 9 - 9.5 billion USD, expected to reach target of 10 billion USD. Of which, shrimp is expected to reach 3.6 - 3.8 billion USD, pangasius 2 billion USD, tuna about 850 - 900 million USD and other seafood contribute nearly 3 billion USD. Regarding rice, Mr. Do Ha Nam, Chairman of Vietnam Food Association, said that in the first 7 months of the year, Vietnam's rice exports reached 5.5 million tonnes, with a turnover of 2.8 billion USD. In context of many rice exporting countries decreasing, Vietnam still increased output by 3.1% despite a 19% price decrease. It is expected that in 2025, Vietnam will reach about 8.8 million tonnes, maintaining its position as the second largest rice exporting country in the world. This is an achievement that Thailand especially admires when the country has reduced its export output by 30%.
Vietnamese rice has now built its own brand, is favored by many markets and supply cannot meet demand. Average export price reached 514 USD/tonne, showing positive progress. Mr. Nam suggested that Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and relevant agencies pay attention and support to make good use of this opportunity, while expanding market to Japan, Korea and Africa.
"Currently, domestic enterprises are promoting exports to Africa - a potential market but with slow payment and high risks. In long term, it is necessary to develop high-quality rice varieties and build specialized growing areas. In particular, ST25 rice is highly appreciated by overseas Vietnamese around the world, showing that "love goes through stomach" and contributing to enhancing national image," said Mr. Do Ha Nam.
Opportunities for agricultural, forestry and fishery products come not only from products but also from export markets. According to Mr. Truong Xuan Trung, First Secretary in charge of Vietnam Trade Office in United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Qatar, in the first 7 months of 2025, exports of some key agricultural, forestry and fishery products of Vietnam to the UAE market recorded significant growth, especially cashew nuts (up 34.64%), vegetables and fruits (up 55%), seafood (up 21%), wood and wood products (up 26.5%). However, there are still products that have decreased such as rice and pepper. Tea products alone have remained almost flat. This shows that export picture still has mixed colors, requiring synchronous solutions to maintain growth momentum. Regarding Chinese market, Mr. Nong Duc Lai, Vietnam's Trade Counselor in China, said that with an annual import scale of up to 2,500 billion USD, of which agricultural products are from 210 - 230 billion USD/year, it can be seen that China is still a large market with great potential for Vietnam's agricultural, forestry and fishery products.
According to Mr. Tran Van Cong - Vietnam's Agricultural Counselor in EU market, potential to promote export of agricultural, forestry and fishery products to EU market is still very large. However, proportion of processed and value-added products exported by Vietnam to EU is still low, a sustainable distribution channel has not been created, there is no brand and the ability to be present is not widespread.
To exploit the potential EU market, Vietnam's Agricultural Counselor in the EU market, Vietnam needs to develop raw material areas that meet EU standards; build disease-free production areas for key livestock areas to promote negotiations for EU to open market. In addition, it is necessary to strengthen building of national brands, increase ability to identify Vietnamese agricultural and food products in the EU market, etc.
Strive for goal of exporting 100 billion USD of agricultural, forestry and fishery products
Accompanying enterprises in agricultural, forestry and fishery sector, on side of Ministry of Industry and Trade, Mr. Nguyen Anh Son, Director of Import and Export Department, said that the Ministry is and will continue to strengthen control against smuggling, trade fraud and fraud of goods origin. At the same time, the Ministry also promotes trade defense measures, with coordination of Trade Defense Department and ministries and branches, to take advantage of strengths and respond to anti-dumping.
In parallel, Ministry of Industry and Trade is coordinating negotiations to expand new markets such as the Gulf, Halal markets, Egypt, etc., including promoting rice exports to Singapore. The two Ministries of Industry and Trade and Agriculture and Environment have also organized many successful trade fairs, such as Fruit Fair in Beijing, along with monthly trade promotion conferences with trade counselors.
Currently, Import-Export Department is assigned to study two projects: "Diversifying imported raw material supply sources" and "Taking advantage of free trade agreements when the United States imposes reciprocal tariffs", which are expected to provide practical recommendations for businesses.
"Regarding information that the Philippines has stopped importing rice for 60 days, Ministry of Industry and Trade has reported to the Government and requested ministries and branches to intervene through diplomatic channels to resolve the issue", said Mr. Son.
Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang said that despite facing many complex fluctuations at home and abroad, agriculture, forestry and fishery sector has achieved many comprehensive results, continuing to play a key role in import and export. The Ministry aims to grow by over 4% in 2025, with export turnover exceeding 65 billion USD, striving to reach 70 billion USD.
Mr. Thang supports the proposal that three ministries: Agriculture and Environment, Industry and Trade and Foreign Affairs coordinate to effectively promote trade, avoid duplication and maximize benefits for businesses. According to him, challenges and opportunities go hand in hand and export potential is still large. To create momentum for 2026–2030 period, growth needs to maintain double digits; in 2025 alone, it is expected to reach 8.3–8.5% and from 2026 it must increase by one and a half times, aiming for a turnover of 80–100 billion USD.
The key issue is where will added value come from? The Acting Minister outlined three major orientations: Completing laws and reforming administrative procedures to meet import market requirements; promptly resolving difficulties of businesses, associations and people; developing and standardizing standards, regulations and raw material zones.
Mr. Thang said that next October, the Ministry will submit to National Assembly a bill amending 15 laws, and from 2026, it will comprehensively amend 17 legal documents to adapt to new situation. Timely answering and guiding difficulties of businesses, people and industry associations; completing standards, regulations and raw material zones. On part of businesses and industry associations, it is necessary to proactively propose support from ministries, branches and localities when necessary.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn