Key markets face challenges
The United States is currently Vietnam's largest agricultural, forestry and fishery export market. In 2024, export turnover to this country will reach 13.7 billion USD, accounting for 22% of the total export value of the whole industry. In the first 4 months of 2025, this figure reached 4.34 billion USD, up 10.2% over the same period.
At the Conference on promoting agricultural trade between Vietnam and the United States held on May 9, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy warned that if the quality of supply chain management is not improved, the US market could become a bottleneck instead of a growth driver. He said that the production system is still dispersed, lacks transparency and does not meet international standards on environment, labor or traceability.
Notably, many agricultural products of Vietnam are at risk of being investigated and subject to taxes. This poses an urgent need to improve professionalism, comply with international rules and proactively adapt.
Enterprises need to proactively adapt and restructure
To respond to the situation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has developed a specific action plan, organized trade promotion groups and promoted negotiations with US partners. In June, nearly 40 Vietnamese enterprises will join the working group to the US with the goal of importing raw materials worth about 2 billion USD, not to mention raw wood.
However, according to Minister Do Duc Duy, it is the new businesses that are the decisive factor in the success of maintaining and expanding the market. He called on the business community to invest heavily in deep processing technology, refrigeration logistics systems, quality control and strengthen linkages with farmers in a sustainable value chain.
Enterprises need to proactively update new regulations of the US market, prepare trade defense records and diversify export markets to reduce dependence. Effective exploitation of free trade agreements (FTAs) and expansion of the domestic market are also necessary strategies.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is also implementing a Project to promote exports to the United States, focusing on transparency of raw material areas, applying digital technology to trace the origin and building brands based on international compliance standards.
The Ministry encourages businesses to participate in green transformation programs to meet new standards on environment and sustainable development.
