The agriculture sector’s export turnover in the first six months of 2018 reached some 20 billion USD, setting a decent pace by meeting half the year’s target of 41 billion USD. Despite challenges still facing the sector towards the year’s end, the general picture for agricultural exports is expected to be a leverage for the country’s GDP. Vietnam has long been known around the world for its rice production, with rice paddy fields part of the iconic imagery of the country. However, the past four years saw rice production at a low point. Despite these gloomy years, rice exports have made a breakthrough in 2018, with prices even surpassing those of export giants in Thailand and India. Rice has greatly contributed to the country’s export turnover of agro-fishery-forestry products, which was altogether worth around 19.4 billion USD in the first half of 2018. Nguyen Quoc Toan, Acting Head of Dep’t of Processing and Trade for Agro-Forestry-Fisheries … [Read more...] about Bright picture forecast for agriculture sector
Agriculture sector
Quang Nam successful in restructuring agricultural sector
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Quang Nam (VNA) – The central province of Quang Nam has made impressive progress in agricultural restructuring, raising production value by 4.5 percent each year in 2008-2017. At talks with a working group from the Ministry of Science and Technology led by Minister Chu Ngoc Anh on July 23, Vice Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture Le Muoi reported that the province’s economic structure has changed, with a lower percentage of agriculture in gross regional domestic products to 11.6 percent in 2017 from 25.84 percent in 2008, and higher ratio of forestry-fisheries sector. After 10 years of implementing the 10th Party Central Committee’s resolution on agriculture, farmers and rural areas, the locality’s agricultural production value has increased from 36.06 million VND per hectare in 2008 to about 80 million VND per hectare in 2018. Nearly 4,000 hectares of rice farm with low production have been switched to other … [Read more...] about Quang Nam successful in restructuring agricultural sector
Agriculture sector holds meeting to link farmers, enterprises
The meeting, served as a source of information and knowledge relevant as to promote market-oriented farming, aimed to link the three sides so as to provide safe produces to consumers and introduce measures to boost consumption of agricultural products. A representative from Tien Phong Pig Farming Cooperative said that he was finding out payment ways and the criteria, procedure of supply to supermarket chain while representatives from Co.opmart and Lotte said produce must satisfy VietGAP criteria and food safety regulation. Vissan representative added that in addition to VietGAP criteria, cooperatives must ensure enough supply as per contract to meet consumers’ demands of commodities. Whereas farmers Tran Thi Thu in Hoc Mon District said the meeting helped her to directly exchange with distributors to understand requirements; accordingly, she and other farmers have market orientation. Deputy Director of the center Nguyen Van Duc Tien said that to help manufacturers and farmers … [Read more...] about Agriculture sector holds meeting to link farmers, enterprises
Forestry posts highest trade surplus among agricultural sectors
Wood furniture on display at an exhibition (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Forestry posted the highest trade surplus, at 3.23 billion USD, amongst agricultural sectors in the first half of 2018, according to the Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VNForest). VNForest also reported that more than 4.33 billion USD worth of forestry products were shipped abroad between January and June, up 12.7 percent year-on-year. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ha Cong Tuan said the forestry sector has sustained the growth achievements set in previous years, adding that VNForest looks likely to maintain this trend to obtain this year’s targets. The country has set targets of 9 billion USD in forestry exports this year, an increase of 6-6.5 percent in forestry production value, and the forest coverage rate of 41.65 percent in 2018. Tuan said the wood and forestry processing industry is developing strongly. Vietnamese wood products have been exported to over 100 countries … [Read more...] about Forestry posts highest trade surplus among agricultural sectors
Agricultural sector asked to better meet market demands
The suggestion was made by Minister, Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung at a Vietnam Economic Forum discussing solutions to develop trading of Vietnamese farm produce in Hanoi on June 5. Vietnam has high potential to develop its agriculture sector as the country has exported to 180 markets worldwide, including many choosy markets. Export turnover of agricultural products is expected to exceed 40 billion USD this year. Consumers buy Vietnam's dragon fruits at a market in Sydney Experts to the forum agreed that new technologies are key to advancing the agriculture sector in Vietnam, as they can boost products’ value to make them more competitive on the global market. The application of technologies in the sector is needed as the market has shown rising demand for clean products with traceable origins. According to Terry Chan, Chairman of Hong Kong E-commerce Supply Chain Association (HKeCSC), blockchain technologies should be deployed as much as … [Read more...] about Agricultural sector asked to better meet market demands