HCMC — Vietnam posted a US$5.18-billion trade surplus in agro-forestry-fishery products in the first four months of this year, down 4.1% from a year earlier, showed data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
Export revenue reached US$21.15 billion during the period, up 10.7% year-on-year, while imports rose 16.6% to US$15.97 billion.
All major export categories recorded growth. Farm produce exports rose 11.7% to US$11.6 billion, forestry products were up 11.2% to US$5.56 billion, and seafood shipments increased 13.7% to US$3.09 billion. Exports of livestock products and agricultural inputs also picked up.
Six products earned over US$1 billion in export revenue, with two exceeding US$3 billion. Coffee exports jumped 51.1% to US$3.78 billion, while wood and wood products edged up 5.8% to US$5.2 billion. Rubber exports increased 18.9%, and shrimp climbed 28.4%.
In contrast, rice exports fell 14.3% to US$1.75 billion. Fruit and vegetable exports dropped 14.2% to US$1.62 billion.
Export prices of several key goods rose, with average coffee prices up 67.5% to US$5,698 per ton. Rubber prices climbed 30.2%, pepper 62.5%, and cashew 27%. However, rice and tea prices fell 20% and 2.2%, respectively.
The U.S. remained Vietnam’s largest market, accounting for over one-fifth of total export value, followed by China at 17.1% and Japan at 7.5%.
In April, exports to Japan rose 26.4% year-on-year, while shipments to China and the U.S. dropped 9.7% and 1.4%, respectively.
Agricultural imports included US$10.17 billion of farm produce, US$1.39 billion of livestock products, US$1.02 billion of seafood, and US$943 million of forestry products.
Asia was Vietnam’s largest source of imports at US$4.74 billion, followed by the Americas at US$3.99 billion, Europe at US$665 million, and Africa at US$403 million.
The ministry said it is working with other agencies to improve domestic consumption and support market development. It is also finalizing a logistics development plan for agricultural products through 2030.
