Completing infrastructure, applying science and technology
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien affirmed that in 2026, the Ministry will continue to implement the tasks throughout.
In which, priority is given to improving and developing infrastructure. Many large productive regions are still lacking drainage pipes, making travel difficult, causing increased logistics costs. Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien frankly acknowledged: Many provinces such as Ben Tre and Tra Vinh have hundreds of hectares of production areas but no drainage culverts, making transportation difficult, making logistics very expensive, the cost per kg of agricultural products very high. This is a bottleneck that significantly reduces the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products, especially in the context of large markets increasing green standards and quality requirements.
Data in 2025 also shows that infrastructure pressure directly affects production when natural disasters occur consecutively, causing tens of thousands of hectares of rice, crops, and aquaculture to be washed away or flooded; The Mekong Delta continues to face local drought and salinity intrusion, threatening the livelihood of the capital region that contributes a large part of the national rice and aquaculture output. In that context, improving the irrigation system, in-field transportation and logistics is not only a solution but an urgent requirement. In addition to infrastructure, applying science and technology to the production chain is also a mandatory requirement. In the coming time, the Ministry will effectively implement the Ministry's Action Plan to implement Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, Resolution No. 193/2025/QH15 and Resolution No. 03/NQ-CP, promoting the application of science, technology, and digital technology in the production and processing of agricultural, forestry and fishery products.
In reality, technology has played an important role in the growth of many industries in 2025: coffee export value reached 7.88 billion USD, up nearly 40% in price; vegetables and fruits reached 7.91 billion USD, up nearly 20%; cashews increased by 19.5% in value even though output increased not much. This is the clearest proof that investment in deep processing technology and supply chain standardization has helped Vietnamese agricultural products shift to higher value segments.
Restructuring the value chain, building a sustainable market
In parallel with infrastructure and technology, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment determined that by 2026, agriculture must be restructured, associated with the development of ecological agriculture, green economy, circular economy, adapting to climate change; improving productivity, quality, added value and production efficiency. Food safety is a continuous task, responding to natural disasters and climate change continues to be a vital factor. This is not only a task of the agricultural sector but requires coordination between many ministries, branches and localities.
With export turnover in 2025 expected to reach a record of 70 billion USD, along with the trend of shifting from quantity to value and many positive market signals, Vietnam's agriculture has a basis to enter 2026 more stably, more proactively and make a strong breakthrough on the world agricultural product map.
Solutions for agriculture to continue to play a leading role
Agricultural expert Hoang Trong Thuy: This year's export picture shows the ability to maintain the reputation of supply sources, stable delivery times and the ability to meet increasingly high quality standards when markets such as China, Japan, and the EU tighten control of imported goods.
In the coming time, agriculture needs to focus on some priorities to maintain growth momentum. First of all, production must strongly shift to a green, organic, circular model and minimize chemicals - a mandatory requirement to meet high-value markets with increasingly strict standards. Vietnamese fruits and vegetables still have to import large quantities because they do not meet emission reduction standards, this is a limitation that needs to be overcome soon.
At the same time, the industry needs to diversify the ecology, reduce dependence on monoculture through the application of high technology and smart agriculture. The electronic traceability system must become a mandatory process, ensuring a stable supply for both exports and domestic markets.
Another important orientation is to promote deep processing to increase value. Industries with advantages such as rice, wood, coffee, pepper, cashew... need to prioritize resources to maintain the reputation of supply, especially for orders in early 2026.
Technical support is needed, building concentrated raw material areas, standardizing growing area codes to improve production capacity at the household and cooperative levels. In particular, Vietnam must soon complete the legal framework on the carbon credit market, especially clearly identifying the owners.
Mr. Nhu Van Can, Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Control (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment): To maintain the growth rate of the fisheries sector amidst tariff fluctuations, businesses need to be quick-witted and flexible. In addition, the policy of shifting market structure also helps the industry maintain good growth momentum.
Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association: With an export turnover of 7.91 billion USD in 11 months, up 19.5% over the same period, vegetables and fruits continue to be one of the most prominent industries.
The growth of leftover soil will not stop, promoting deep processing is also an important direction to help Vietnamese agricultural products overcome technical barriers and reduce storage pressure. If we expand the market and develop processing strongly, the turnover of vegetables and fruits can completely exceed the threshold of 10 billion USD in the coming years.
