Processing dragon fruit for exports at the Lương Gia Food Joint Stock Company in the southern province of Đồng Nai. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Văn Việt

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s agro-forestry-aquatic product exports raked in some US$19.06 billion in the first four months of 2024, up 23.7 per cent year-on-year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) reported.

Meanwhile, the country imported $14.32 billion worth of these products, resulting in a trade surplus of $4.74 billion, a rise of 71.5 per cent year on year.

In April alone, the export value was $5.14 billion, an increase of 19.7 per cent from the corresponding time last year, of which main agricultural products made up $2.83 billion (up 29.2 per cent); forestry products, $1.39 billion (up 18.6 per cent); and aquatic products, $730 million (down 1.5 per cent).

In the four months, Việt Nam shipped abroad $10.44 billion worth of agricultural products, a year-on-year rise of 32.5 per cent; $5.18 billion of forestry products, up 22.8 per cent; and 2.68 billion of aquatic products, up 4.2 per cent.

Regarding markets, exports to Asia, America, Europe, Oceania and Africa experienced increases ranging from 19.8 per cent to 38.6 per cent. The US, China and Japan remained the three largest buyers of Việt Nam's agro-forestry-aquatic products.

To maintain the growth pace, the ministry said it has dealt with market-related issues to facilitate shipments, especially those to China, the US, Japan and the EU, while expanding to new ones like the Middle East, Africa and Islamic countries.

At the same time, it has maximised opportunities generated by free trade agreements, notably the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). — VNS