Hanoi (VNA) –ꦫ The 23rd Vietnam InternationalAgriculture Trade Fair (AgroViet 2023), themed "Connecting Value Chains, Developing Ecological and Sustainable Agriculture", opened in Hanoi onSeptember 14.

Hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development(MARD), the annual event is a pivotal gathering for Vietnam's agriculturesector, serving as a platform for both domestic and international agriculturalbusinesses to showcase their products, highlight technological innovations, andstrengthen business ties. The three-day event features approximately 200 booths presenting high-quality products fromregions in Vietnam as well as from countries such as China, the Republic ofKorea, Australia, Russia, and ASEAN nations. Meanwhile, on the same day, in Ho Chi Minh City, the European– American Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade organiseda workshop on bringing Vietnamese agricultural products and processed food toforeign distribution networks. Nguyen Thao Hien, Deputy Directorof the department, said that Vietnam has made breakthroughs in exportingagricultural products over recent years despite difficulties and changes in theworld market and supply chains. Vietnam has the advantages of geographical location, favourablenatural conditions, and incentives from 15 bilateral and multilateral freetrade agreements (FTAs) with many partners around the world. The Southeast Asian nation has maintained the growth of agricultural, aquatic, and foodexport turnover at double-digit rates for years and it export value reached 53.2billion USD in 2022. Many product groups saw a turnover of over 2 billion USDsuch as wood, seafood, coffee, rubber, rice, cashew, and vegetables. In 2022, Vietnamese agricultural products such asfresh bananas, sweet potato, bird's nest, grapefruit, longan, passion fruit,and durian were eligible to export to developed and high-standard marketsaround the world. In 2023, despite challenges, including high inflationin major export markets, Vietnam's export turnover of agricultural,forestry, and fishery products is forecast to surpass the amount of 50billion USD. Currently, Vietnam is the world's largest supplier of cashew nutsand pepper, and the third largest supplier of rice, and coffee. The export of vegetables and fruits is a bright spot inVietnam's exports of agricultural products. Total exports are expected to reach thehistoric milestone of 5 billion USD in 2023. Le Thanh Hoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Quality,Processing, and Market Development under the Ministry of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment, said that Vietnam has strengths in agricultural production andVietnamese agricultural and food products are present in over 190 countriesaround the world. However, most of the products are exported in the form of raw andsemi-processed materials. Few of them are high value-added products or developing branding to access large-scale distribution chains. According to Hoa, for Vietnamese products to better penetrateinternational distribution systems, Vietnam's agriculture and food industrymust quickly improve institutions and build a system of standards and technicalrequirements that are appropriate to the current situation and integration. The country needs mechanisms to allocate and mobiliseresources for training, managing, and supporting producers toensure food quality and safety at all stages from production, harvesting,preservation, processing, and consumption in domestic and overseas markets. In addition, it’s necessary to regularly update regulations,market analysis information, and consumer tastes to develop appropriateproducts, Hoa said./.