AsemconnectVietnam - Amidst an overall economic trade deficit of over US$20.52 billion in the first seven months of the year, the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector continued to affirm its role as an economic "anchor" by achieving a trade surplus of US$11.67 billion.

This result not only demonstrates the sector's resilience and export capacity but also contributes significantly to balancing the national trade account, generating foreign currency, and supporting macroeconomic stability.
In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam's export turnover for agriculture, forestry, and fisheries reached nearly US$42.8 billion, a 7.5% increase compared to the same period of 2025. The sector maintained a trade surplus as export value far exceeded import value (US$31.13 billion), making a positive contribution to the national trade balance.
Regarding the export structure, agricultural products reached US$22.2 billion, forestry products US$10.96 billion, and aquatic products US$6.85 billion; meanwhile, livestock products and production input materials saw strong growth rates of 33.2% and 71.1%, respectively.
Asia remained the key destination, accounting for 45.2% of total export turnover, followed by the Americas (21.4%) and Europe (13.8%).
China was the largest import partner, holding a 21.9% market share and recording a growth rate of 24.4%. The United States ranked second with a 19% market share but saw a slight decline of 1.6%, whereas Japan recorded a 3.9% increase.
The standout performer was the fruit and vegetable sector, with an export value of $4.83 billion, a 24.9% increase, driven largely by China, which accounted for 55% of consumption. Notably, durian exports grew impressively by 30% to reach $1.8 billion, with projections to surpass the $4 billion mark by 2026.
However, the sector still faces bottlenecks regarding the management of growing area codes and packing facility codes. To address this, the Government issued Resolution 36/2026/NQ-CP, shifting from pre-inspection to post-inspection, shortening the code issuance process to 3–10 days, and simplifying administrative procedures via the National Public Service Portal to enhance transparency.
Regarding other key agricultural products, pepper and cashew nuts maintained positive growth momentum. Conversely, while coffee export volume increased, its value fell by 11.2%; rubber and tea saw declines in both volume and value; and cassava experienced a sharp drop in volume but only a slight decrease in value.
The seafood sector recorded 12.7% growth, reaching $6.85 billion; shrimp was the primary product (accounting for 41% of the value), followed by pangasius, crabs, and mollusks. Despite overall positive growth, exports to the US dipped slightly by 0.8% due to the pressure of Section 301 tariffs (12.5%), which are higher than those faced by competitors.
Tuna, in particular, faced significant pressure from Section 301 tariffs, US MMPA regulations, and the EU's IUU "yellow card" status. Despite facing numerous challenges regarding technical barriers and tariffs, the goal of achieving seafood export turnover exceeding $12 billion by 2026 is still considered feasible.
Source: VITIC/ vneconomy.vn