HCMC – The UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), in cooperation with the British Consulate-General and British Chambers of Commerce in Vietnam, is leading a trade mission from September 23 to 25 to promote British pork and strengthen ties with Vietnamese importers.
The delegation includes major firms such as GPS Food Group Ltd., Norwest Foods International Ltd., and Dunbia.
They are planning a seminar in HCMC on September 24 to present products and explore trade opportunities. The event will feature discussions on the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, company presentations, and business-matching sessions designed to strengthen links between exporters and local importers.
British pork is promoted for its traceability, food safety, and animal welfare standards, alongside flexible packaging and supply solutions. AHDB said Vietnam’s fast-growing food sector offers strong potential for UK producers seeking long-term partnerships in Southeast Asia.
The trade mission comes as bilateral agri-food trade rises sharply. UK food and drink exports to Vietnam nearly doubled between 2020 and 2023, reaching US$154 million, according to a 2024 report by Edelman Public & Government Affairs.
The UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in December 2024 is expected to further ease market access. Tariff cuts on food, consumer goods, and cosmetics, along with improved customs procedures, are set to create new opportunities for Vietnamese importers and retailers.
Matthew Albon-Crouch, the UK’s Agriculture Attaché in Vietnam, said interest in British pork has increased since an Export Health Certificate was agreed in late 2022, opening the way for more trade.
UK exports to Vietnam rose by 9.9% in 2024. CPTPP is expected to support continued growth in 2025.
