HCMC – Vietnam’s agro-forestry-fishery export revenue has hit a record high of US$48.6 billion this year, well above the US$42-billion target set by the Government.
The reemergence of the pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the export and import of the agriculture sector, but the free trade agreements Vietnam clinched with other countries and regions have helped boost exports, especially of farm produce, to more markets, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development told a conference held today, December 29, to review its performance in 2021.
Of the agro-forestry-fishery export value, which has soared by 14.9% year-on-year, the main agricultural products account for over US$21.5 billion, whereas the figures for forestry and fisheries are US$16 billion and over US$8.9 billion, respectively.
Six groups of products, including woodwork, vegetables and fruits, shrimp, rubber, cashew nuts and rice, have brought export revenues of over US$3 billion each.
In 2021, the added value of the agricultural sector has edged up 2.85%-2.9%, while the total forest coverage has jumped to 42%, the local media reported.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said that in the third quarter of this year, the coronavirus raged in southern cities and provinces, disrupting agricultural production, transport, processing and distribution chains.
However, agriculture has overcome all difficulties and reached its target thanks to the cooperation between enterprises and farmers, and agricultural reforms, Hoan added.
This year has seen 1,250 agricultural cooperatives newly established, while over 1,600 firms active in agriculture have returned to the market, raising the total number of enterprises in the sector to more than 14,000.
In addition, Vietnam is looking to obtain US$49 billion from agro-forestry-fishery exports in 2022, with the agriculture sector’s growth rate targeted at up to 2.9%.
