Vietnam’s export turnover of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products grew in the first six months of the year, despite not performing as well as last year. This indicates positive signs of a market recovery, state media VTV reported.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development affirmed that it will coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to find ways to overcome difficulties and ensure this year’s export target of 54 billion USD.

Seafood and wood exports struggled in the first six months of the year due to declining purchasing power in major markets such as the US and the EU. Many solutions have been implemented by the Government and ministries. At the same time, businesses are also trying to focus on deep processing and reducing production costs.

The Director of Quality, Processing and Market Development, at Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nguyen Nhu Tiep said that markets and consumer tastes are ever-changing. Production must be diversified to ensure quality and food safety and also be in line with market requirements. That is the direction of the current agricultural industry.

It is forecast that agricultural exports will continue to have high growth momentum in the coming months as demand from countries around the world increases. In particular, exports to China will enjoy many advantages thanks to the agreements signed with this country, as long as exporters can meet market requirements.

Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hoang Trung, said that in the remaining six months of the year, the country must try to take advantage of opportunities and handle difficulties and technical problems to promote seafood and wood products. “We will coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and localities to closely link production to the market. With positive signals from export markets, businesses must be proactive in acquiring information, promoting production, and taking advantage of opportunities to recover exports,” he added.

Vietnam reportedly set a target for this year’s export of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products at 54 billion USD.