Exports continued to grow, with a trade surplus of over US$8.4 billion.
Mr. Tran Gia Long - Deputy Head of Planning and Finance Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), said that in the first 5 months of 2026, agricultural, forestry and fisheries production continued to maintain growth momentum, ensuring a balance between supply and demand, meeting domestic consumption needs and export. In crop sector, the whole country planted 2.98 million hectares of winter-spring rice, an increase of 0.3% compared to the same period last year; the harvested output reached 13.96 million tonnes. The summer-autumn crop planted 1.29 million hectares, an increase of 3%.
Livestock farming continued its recovery, with total number of pigs and poultry increasing by 3.7%; while buffalo herd decreased by 2.9% and the cattle herd decreased by 0.7%. Forestry sector recorded a new concentrated forest planting area of 101,400 hectares, an increase of 1.9%; timber production reached 8.7 million cubic meters, an increase of 3.8%. Aquaculture production is estimated at 3.9 million tonnes, an increase of 3.1%, of which aquaculture reached 2.3 million tonnes, an increase of 5%.
Thanks to intensified trade promotion, leveraging free trade agreements (FTAs) and expanding export markets, export value of agricultural, forestry and aquatic products continued to maintain its growth momentum. In the first five months of this year, export reached US$30.69 billion, an increase of 9.2%; import reached US$22.28 billion, an increase of 12.6%; and trade surplus reached US$8.41 billion, an increase of 1.1%.
Of that total, agricultural export reached US$16.38 billion, forestry products US$7.65 billion and aquatic products US$4.65 billion. Notably, livestock product exports increased by 43.2%, while production inputs increased by as much as 83%. Key export markets continued to maintain positive growth. China accounted for 20.5% of market share and increased by 28.4%; EU increased by 4.2%; and Japan increased by 3.5%. The US market, however, decreased by 3.6%.
Focusing on developing green agriculture and responding to market risks
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Dang Ngoc Diep stated that, despite global economy still being affected by geopolitical conflicts and fluctuations in input costs, agricultural sector has maintained a positive growth momentum. "Agricultural, forestry and fisheries exports in the first half of the year are estimated at nearly 30 billion USD, with a trade surplus of over 7.5 billion USD. This is a positive sign for the industry to strive to achieve 3.7% growth target and aim for 4% in 2026", the Deputy Minister emphasized.
From the beginning of the year, the Ministry has developed detailed growth scenarios for each month and quarter, while clearly assigning responsibilities to each unit, sector and responsible leader. Thanks to this, the industry has maintained positive results amidst volatile global market.
Besides task of developing production, the Ministry is focusing heavily on improving institutional framework. In 2026, the Ministry is tasked with leading the development and amendment of three important draft laws: law on environmental protection, law on marine and island resources and environment and law on land.
According to Deputy Minister Dang Ngoc Diep, amendments to laws aim to remove bottlenecks in mechanisms and policies, overcome overlapping legal regulations and promote decentralization and delegation of power, creating more favorable conditions for citizens and businesses.
Regarding land law, the Ministry is currently summarizing Resolution 18-NQ/TW to serve as a basis for proposing amendments to inadequate regulations. After the National Assembly issued Resolution 29 on removing difficulties and obstacles related to land, the Ministry also submitted to the Government Resolution 147 to address long-standing stalled projects and related obstacles affecting more than 4,500 projects nationwide.
According to leaders of Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, if these important draft laws are passed this year, it will be a crucial foundation for removing institutional bottlenecks, freeing up land and natural resources and creating new impetus for economic growth in the coming period.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn