AsemconnectVietnam - In April of 2026, agriculture continued to see a clear structural shift as the area planted with rice decreased, giving way to higher-value sectors.

Despite unfavorable weather conditions, aquaculture and livestock maintained their growth momentum, becoming important drivers for the entire industry.
The restructuring process of the agricultural sector is becoming more substantive.
The agricultural landscape in April clearly reflects the trend of restructuring towards increasing value. Production activities focused on caring for the winter-spring rice crop in the North, while the South accelerated harvesting and prepared for planting the summer-autumn crop. Simultaneously, the livestock, forestry, and aquaculture sectors continued to play a pivotal role, contributing to the stable growth of the industry.
According to the General Statistics Office (Ministry of Finance), as of April 20, 2026, the whole country planted 2,932,900 hectares of winter-spring rice, a decrease of 36,800 hectares compared to the same period of 2025. The decrease in winter-spring rice area is mainly due to localities converting inefficient rice-growing land to annual crops, perennial crops, aquaculture with higher economic value, or to serve the construction of public works and industrial zones. This is a positive sign reflecting the restructuring process of the agricultural sector becoming more substantive.
In the North, winter-spring rice is growing and developing well, with rice crops progressing on schedule. However, localities need to provide timely irrigation water and proactively control pests and diseases to ensure favorable growth and development of the rice plants in the next stage. Meanwhile, in the South, 78.4% of the area has been harvested, with the Mekong Delta reaching over 90%. Adjusting the planting schedule to be later allows localities to proactively manage water resources for crops, demonstrating flexibility in production.
However, the progress of summer-autumn planting is slower than the same period last year, reaching only 50.9% in the South. The main reason is the prolonged harvesting of the winter-spring crop, which has affected the planting schedule. In addition, localized heatwaves in many areas and the impact of El Nino have delayed the rainy season.
This reality highlights the urgent need for climate adaptation, from adjusting the planting schedule to selecting varieties and cultivation techniques. Prioritizing the use of high-quality, disease-resistant rice and applying advanced farming methods, along with the proper use of pesticides, are considered key solutions to minimize risks.
In the field of crop cultivation, the trend of reducing the area of some cash crops such as corn, peanuts, and sweet potatoes continued due to low economic efficiency. This indicates that market pressure is driving farmers to shift more strongly towards higher-value and more stable production models.
Meanwhile, livestock farming continued to show clear differentiation. Cattle and buffalo farming is declining due to high costs and long cycles, making it less attractive to investors. Conversely, poultry and pig farming maintain growth momentum, especially in large-scale farms. The recovery of pig herds in many localities showed the effectiveness of biosecurity and disease control models. However, small-scale livestock farming still faces difficulties due to high input costs and the risk of African swine fever, requiring continued strengthening of management and support.
Forestry remains stable with timber production increasing by 2.4% in the first four months of 2026, despite a slight decrease in newly planted area. This reflects a trend towards improving the efficiency of forest resource exploitation and management, rather than simply expanding the planted area.
Notably, the fisheries sector continued to be a bright spot. Total aquaculture and fisheries production in April 2026 increased by 2.8%, with shrimp production surging by 8.0% thanks to improved raw material prices and market demand. Pangasius also recorded positive growth, showing signs of recovery in the export market. Marine fishing activities are thriving as the southern fishing season begins, coupled with reduced fuel costs, encouraging fishermen to stay at sea.
In the first four months of 2026, aquaculture and fisheries production increased by 3.1%, significantly higher than many other sectors in agriculture. This is the result of structural shifts towards increasing the proportion of high-value and export-potential products.
In the context of climate change and volatile markets, maintaining the growth momentum of the fisheries and livestock sectors is crucial for improving the quality and competitiveness of the entire industry.
CK
Source: VITIC/tapchitaichinh.vn