Exports maintain upward momentum, with fruits, vegetables and seafood continuing to be bright spots.
According to estimates from Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in August 2026, exports of agricultural, forestry and aquatic products reached US$6.47 billion, a decrease of 3.5% compared to previous month but an increase of 3.6% compared to the same period in 2025. For the first eight months of the year, total value of agricultural, forestry and aquatic product exports is estimated at nearly US$49.31 billion, an increase of 7% compared to the same period last year. Of which, agricultural export reached US$25.66 billion, an increase of 2.7%; forestry products reached US$12.57 billion, an increase of 5.4%; and seafood reached US$7.94 billion, an increase of 10.9%. Notably, some product groups experienced higher-than-average growth rates. Export of livestock products reached US$511.9 million, an increase of 30%. Group of leading inputs for production reached $2.61 billion, an increase of 64.8%; salt export reached $10.4 million, an increase of 44.4%.
Regionally, Asia continues to be Vietnam's largest export market for agricultural, forestry and aquatic products, accounting for 45.5% of market share. This is followed by the Americas with 21.5% and Europe with 13.4%. Export to Asia increased by 11.3%, to the Americas by 0.6%, to Europe by 1.7%, and to Oceania by 16.4%. Meanwhile, export to Africa decreased by 18.3%.
At market level, China, the United States and Japan continue to hold the top three positions, with market shares of 22.7%, 19.1% and 6.8% respectively. Compared to the same period last year, export of agricultural, forestry and aquatic products to China increased by 22.1%, to Japan by 2%, while exports to the United States decreased slightly by 0.4%.
Among key commodities, fruits and vegetables continue to record outstanding growth. In August 2026, fruit and vegetable export are estimated to reach US$1.24 billion, bringing total value for the first eight months to US$6.02 billion, a 24.9% increase compared to the same period in 2025. China accounts for 58.9% of Vietnam's total fruit and vegetable export value. The United States and South Korea account for 7.6% and 4.2%, respectively. In the first seven months of the year, fruit and vegetable export to China increased by 33.1%, to the United States by 14.4% and to South Korea by 9.6%.
Seafood also maintained a fairly strong growth rate. Exports in August reached approximately US$1.08 billion, bringing total for the first eight months to US$7.94 billion, a 10.9% increase. China is the largest market, accounting for 24%, followed by the United States with 15.6% and Japan with 13.7%. Seafood export to China increased by 37.1% in the first seven months, significantly higher than increases in the United States and Japan.
For wood industry, in August, export are estimated at $1.48 billion, bringing the total for the first eight months to $11.69 billion, an increase of 5%. The United States remains the main market, accounting for 49.9%; China and Japan account for 15% and 12.4% respectively. Notably, wood exports to China increased by 46.4%, while exports to the US decreased by 5.8%.
In agricultural sector, export trends are more clearly differentiated. Coffee exports in the first eight months reached approximately 1.3 million tonnes, valued at $6 billion. Volume increased by 13.1%, but value decreased by 9.1% due to a 19.7% decrease in the average export price, down to approximately $4,538/tonne. Germany, Italy and Japan are the largest consuming markets.
Rice export reached approximately 6 million tonnes, valued at US$2.86 billion, a decrease of 6.3% in volume and 11.9% in value. Average export price was US$480.9/tonne, down 6%. The Philippines continued to be the largest market, accounting for 43.2% of market share. Meanwhile, export to China increased by 92.2%. Rubber also saw a decrease in volume but an increase in average price. In the first eight months, exports reached 936,100 tonnes, valued at US$1.86 billion, a decrease of 16.1% and 6.2% respectively. Average export price reached US$1,986/tonne, an increase of 11.9%.
Similarly, tea export decreased by 10.2% in volume but only 2% in value, thanks to a 9.1% increase in average export price. Meanwhile, cashew nuts reached $3.35 billion, up 2%, while pepper reached $1.24 billion, up 9.6%. Notably, livestock products continued to maintain a high growth rate. Export turnover in the first eight months reached $511.9 million, up 30%. Of which, milk and dairy products reached $139.3 million, up 79.2%; meat, meat by-products and edible by-products after slaughter reached $154.1 million, up 15.2%.
Imports slow down
On import side, agricultural, forestry and fisheries market showed signs of slowing down in August. The import value this month was estimated at US$4.01 billion, down 9.9% from the previous month and down 7.4% from the same period in 2025. However, for the first eight months of the year, imports of agricultural, forestry, and fisheries products still reached approximately US$35.06 billion, an increase of 8.1% compared to the same period. Of this, agricultural imports reached US$22.24 billion, up 11.7%; livestock products US$3.6 billion, up 22.9%; and forestry products US$2.48 billion, up 16.2%. Conversely, seafood imports decreased by 1.5%, to US$2.12 billion; and production inputs decreased by 12.9%, to US$4.57 billion.
Asia and the Americas continue to be the two main suppliers of agricultural, forestry and aquatic products to Vietnam, accounting for 30.6% and 23.6% of the market share, respectively. In the first eight months, imports from Asia increased by 10.4%, the Americas by 6.6%, and Oceania by 6%. Meanwhile, imports from Europe decreased by 3.7% and Africa by 12.4%. The United States, China and Cambodia are the three largest suppliers of agricultural, forestry and aquatic products to Vietnam, with market shares of 10.2%, 9.7% and 7.2%, respectively. Compared to the same period last year, import from the United States increased by 22.4%, China by 8% and Cambodia by 21.7%.
Ministry of Agriculture and Environment noted that export of agricultural, forestry and aquatic products continued to maintain a relatively high growth rate in the first eight months of the year, but results varied significantly among different sectors. Some commodities increased in value due to improved production or market demand, while coffee, rice, rubber and cassava were affected by declining prices or export volumes. This development shows that, in addition to market expansion, increasing added value, controlling quality and meeting the requirements of each market remain crucial factors in maintaining export growth in the remaining months of the year.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn