The global shift toward more sustainable supply chains is placing unprecedented pressure on Vietnamese agricultural products. To achieve the sector’s USD 74 billion export target in 2026, Vietnam can no longer rely on raw production volumes alone. Instead, it must undertake a fundamental transformation in quality management and fully comply with increasingly stringent green standards.
At a recent conference on export promotion, participants noted that although Vietnam’s agricultural, forestry, and fishery exports reached USD 23 billion in the first four months of the year, the sector’s growth continues to mask underlying structural weaknesses. Key export industries—including fruit and vegetables, seafood, and pepper—are under increasing pressure from geopolitical uncertainties and freight costs that have tripled. More importantly, international standards are shifting toward comprehensive supply chain management based on low-carbon production and full traceability. Without a timely shift in management practices, many of Vietnam’s flagship agricultural products risk losing access to premium markets because they fail to meet new technical requirements. Delays in adapting to green standards could erode the country’s long-standing competitive advantage in an increasingly volatile global trading environment.
Addressing trade-related barriers, Nguyễn Hoài Nam, Secretary General of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), said: “Businesses are under severe strain due to shortages of raw materials and labor, while also facing new regulations such as Circulars No. 81 and 74/2025. The issuance of seafood certificates remains a major bottleneck. This makes comprehensive digitalization essential to avoid inconsistent implementation that delays export shipments.”
Weaknesses in processing and post-harvest preservation remain one of the largest gaps in Vietnam’s agricultural value chains. The continued dominance of fresh exports has limited value addition despite farmers’ efforts. At the same time, the shortage of cold storage facilities in production areas has led to significant post-harvest losses. Without greater investment in deep processing, Vietnamese agricultural products will remain trapped in the familiar cycle of bumper harvests followed by falling prices. This leaves producers heavily dependent on traders and volatile markets. This lack of modern processing and cold-chain infrastructure continues to constrain the value potential of the country’s key agricultural commodities, despite consistently high production volumes.
Commenting on logistics and processing capacity, Nguyễn Đình Tùng, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT), said: “Although the fruit and vegetable industry has recorded impressive growth, rising costs have become a serious concern. The shortage of cold-chain infrastructure in production areas is weakening competitiveness, while deep processing remains underdeveloped, with more than 70% of products still exported in fresh form.”
Even Vietnam’s rice industry is facing challenges due to limited capacity to regulate supply and demand. A nearly 20% decline in rice prices has exposed weaknesses in domestic market management and business confidence. The widespread practice of selling large volumes to reduce inventories has undermined the country’s national rice brand. Meanwhile, increasingly stringent carbon-emission requirements are becoming an essential passport for market access. They require the entire industry to adopt more sustainable cultivation practices from the farm level upward to maintain long-term growth and competitiveness.
Discussing the rice market, Đỗ Hà Nam, Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA), stated: “Rice prices have fallen to their lowest level in five years, largely because of market sentiment. Many businesses rushed to sell after hearing that major buyers were reducing imports. The fundamental weakness is that farmers have little ability to regulate the market, leaving them entirely dependent on foreign buyers when it comes to pricing.”
To address these bottlenecks, the Government has outlined a restructuring roadmap centered on institutional reform and the green transition. The USD 74 billion export target is not merely an economic objective but also a mission to secure the livelihoods of millions of workers. The key strategy is to shift from a production-oriented mindset to an agricultural economy approach that prioritizes quality, branding, and value creation. International frameworks such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) should be viewed not as barriers but as catalysts for aligning production with global standards, safeguarding market share, and enhancing the value of Vietnamese agricultural products. This transformation represents a critical turning point in redefining Vietnam’s position in global agricultural trade through credibility, quality, and sustainable green production.
Speaking about the Government’s long-term vision, Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Quốc Dũng emphasized: “Agriculture is a pillar of the economy and the livelihood of 62% of the population. Therefore, agricultural exports carry greater social significance than industrial exports. The Government has instructed ministries and agencies to promptly remove bottlenecks related to land, credit, and administrative procedures. It has also committed to responding to business concerns within no more than five working days.”
Developing modern infrastructure is equally essential. Planning concentrated production areas integrated with efficient logistics networks has become a pressing priority to enhance competitiveness. Local authorities are encouraged to allocate suitable agricultural land strategically rather than pursuing industrial expansion at the expense of long-term sustainable advantages. At the same time, digital technologies for managing planting area codes and traceability systems will improve supply chain transparency and strengthen consumer confidence. These measures will not only help Vietnamese agricultural products comply with increasingly stringent technical requirements but also open new opportunities in promising markets such as the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. They will particularly benefit products produced under certified green standards.
Discussing supply chain development, Nguyễn Thị Kim Thanh, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Coconut Association, stated: “Vietnam’s coconut industry has reached USD 1.1 billion in export value, with 75% coming from deep-processed products. However, the sector is facing raw material shortages due to saltwater intrusion. Long-term planning of standardized production areas, rather than spontaneous expansion, together with improved transport infrastructure in remote areas, is essential to prevent farmers from being forced to sell at low prices and to ensure businesses have a stable supply of raw materials.”
Closer collaboration among stakeholders across the agricultural ecosystem will be crucial to unlocking investment and accelerating technological innovation. The Government’s preferential credit package to support temporary rice procurement is a timely measure to protect farmers’ incomes, while efforts to diversify export destinations will reduce dependence on traditional markets. Only by fully embracing green, low-emission production can Vietnamese agricultural products establish enduring brand value and strengthen their reputation in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. This will pave the way for Vietnam’s agricultural exports to reach new heights.
Affirming the sector’s determination, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trịnh Việt Hùng stated: “The agricultural sector aims to achieve a minimum growth rate of 3.7% despite increasingly stringent international trade barriers. This requires stricter governance and greater transparency in product origin. Relevant authorities will decisively remove administrative bottlenecks and provide maximum support to help businesses meet green standards, strengthen their competitiveness, and maintain Vietnam’s leading position in agricultural exports during the new development phase.”
Vietnamese source: https://thuonghieusanpham.vn/nong-san-viet-buoc-phai-dap-ung-tieu-chuan-xanh-de-giu-thi-truong
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