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| Agro-forestry-fishery exports are estimated at USD 6.02 billion in March, marking a sharp 47.8 per cent increase compared to the previous month__Photo: VNA |
Vietnam’s agro-forestry-fishery exports reached USD 16.69 billion in the first three months of 2026, up 5.9 per cent year-on-year, announced a regular press briefing held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in Hanoi on April 1.
In this period, the sector posted a trade surplus of USD 4.78 billion, representing a 12 per cent increase, said Tran Gia Long, Deputy Director of the Planning and Finance Department.
In March alone, export turnover was estimated at USD 6.02 billion, marking a sharp 47.8 per cent increase compared to the previous month, though slightly down 1.5 per cent year-on-year.
By category, during the January-March period, agricultural products accounted for USD 8.93 billion, up 4.1 per cent; fisheries reached USD 2.62 billion, up 13.3 per cent; livestock products totaled USD 197.7 million, surging 54. 3per cent; while forestry products recorded USD 4.11 billion, down 2.4 per cent.
In terms of markets, Asia remained the largest destination for Vietnam’s agro-forestry-fishery exports, accounting for 45.1 per cent of total export value. It was followed by the Americas (20.7 per cent) and Europe (16.2 per cent), while Africa and Oceania represented smaller shares at 2.1 per cent and 1.4 per cent, respectively. Compared to the same period last year, exports to Asia rose 15.3 per cent, to Europe 4.8 per cent, and to Oceania 20.1 per cent, whereas exports to the Americas declined 3.4 per cent and those to Africa dropped sharply by 29 per cent.
At the country level, China continued to be Vietnam’s largest export market, holding a 22.1 per cent share, followed by the US (18.3 per cent) and Japan (7.1 per cent). In Q1, exports to China surged by 37.6 per cent, exports to Japan edged up 0.7 per cent, while shipments to the US fell 5.2 per cent year-on-year.
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| Pepper stands out as a bright spot, with export volume reaching 64,600 tonnes and turnover totalling USD 417.5 million, up 36.8 per cent in volume and 28.8 per cent in value__Photo: VNA |
Several commodities posted strong growth, helping to support overall export performance. Pepper stood out as a bright spot, with export volume reaching 64,600 tonnes and turnover totaling USD 417.5 million, up 36.8 per cent in volume and 28.8 per cent in value, despite a 5.9 per cent decline in average export prices.
Rubber also maintained growth momentum, with exports of 411,200 tonnes valued at USD 751.8 million, up 8 per cent in volume and 2.4 per cent in value. Notably, shipments to markets such as Indonesia and India rose sharply, by 93.2 per cent and 24.6 per cent, respectively, offsetting declines in the key Chinese market.
Fruit and vegetable exports continued to expand robustly, reaching USD 1.54 billion, up 32.1 per cent year-on-year. China remained the dominant market, accounting for 54 per cent of total exports in this category, with an impressive growth rate of 76.2 per cent.
However, several major export items recorded declines in value, largely due to falling prices. Coffee exports reached 577,300 tonnes, generating USD 2.71 billion, up 12.6 per cent in volume but down 6.4 per cent in value, as average export prices dropped significantly by 16.9 per cent. While exports to markets such as Germany and Spain increased, shipments to Italy and the Philippines declined sharply.
Rice exports totaled 2.3 million tonnes, equivalent to USD 1.11 billion, remaining almost unchanged in volume (up 0.2 per cent) but decreasing 7.8 per cent in value due to an 8 per cent fall in average export prices. The Philippines continued to account for more than half of total rice exports, while exports to China rose significantly, offsetting declines in several African markets.
Meanwhile, total imports of agro-forestry-fishery products in Q1 were estimated at USD 11.91 billion, up 3.6 per cent year-on-year. Agricultural imports accounted for the largest share at USD 7.62 billion, increasing 6.3 per cent. Imports of livestock products reached USD 1.16 billion, up 10 per cent, while forestry imports totaled USD 786.8 million, rising 16.1 per cent. In contrast, aquatic product imports declined slightly by 1.8 per cent to USD 746.8 million.- (VNA/VLLF)
