AsemconnectVietnam - Despite facing many challenges, especially geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, Vietnam's total export turnover in the first quarter of 2026 reached nearly 100 billion USD, an increase of over 17% compared to the same period last year.

Normally, the first quarter of each year is a slow start in many sectors, especially trade, due to the impact of the Lunar New Year holidays. This year, in addition to the above factors, the military conflict in the Middle East that broke out at the end of February made March a difficult month due to rising fuel prices, fluctuating supply chain logistics costs, and stalled orders, etc.
However, the results of the first three months of the year showed that the export situation remains extremely vibrant. By the end of the first quarter of 2026, the total export value reached nearly US$97 billion, an increase of 17.1% (equivalent to an increase of US$14.14 billion) compared to the same period of 2025. Several product groups showed positive growth, including computers, electronic products and components, up by US$6.69 billion (40.3%); telephones and components, up by US$2.66 billion (23.1%); and machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts, up by US$1.79 billion (18.2%).
In the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced import and export results for the first quarter, with total agricultural, forestry and fisheries exports reaching US$16.69 billion, an increase of 5.9% compared to the same period of 2025; the trade surplus in agriculture, forestry and fisheries reached US$4.78 billion.
Looking at each product group, the agricultural sector continued to play a leading role with export value reaching US$8.93 billion, an increase of 4.1%. Notably, livestock product exports recorded the highest growth, reaching US$197.7 million, an increase of 54.3%. This is a positive sign showing that the livestock industry is gradually improving its competitiveness and expanding its market.
The fishery sector also maintained a fairly strong growth momentum, with export value reaching US$2.62 billion, an increase of 13.3%. Meanwhile, forestry products reached US$4.11 billion, a decrease of 2.4%, reflecting the difficulties faced by the timber industry due to declining demand in some major markets. Vietnam's rubber exports in the first three months of the year are estimated at 411,000 tonnes, worth of US$752 million, an increase of 8% in volume and 2.4% in value compared to the same period in 2025.
Rubber prices were also supported by the conflict in the Middle East. As synthetic rubber is produced from petroleum, rising oil prices increased production costs, prompting manufacturers to switch to using natural rubber, thereby supporting natural rubber prices in the international market. Another highlight in the first months of the year was pepper, with exports reaching 64,600 tonnes, equivalent to US$417.5 million, a strong increase of 36.8% in volume and 28.8% in value compared to the same period of 2025, despite a 5.9% decrease in average export price.
CK
Source: VITIC/thanhnien.vn