Workers process tra fish for export. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s agro-forestry-fishery exports maintained strong growth momentum in the first two months of 2026, rising 17.1 per cent year-on-year to an estimated US$11.3 billion, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

In February alone, export turnover was estimated at $4.71 billion, down 28.4 per cent from the previous month but up 1.9 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Of the total export value in the January–February period, agricultural products accounted for $6.09 billion, up 17.1 per cent year-on-year. Seafood exports reached $1.76 billion, marking a sharp increase of 23.3 per cent, while forestry products brought in $2.82 billion, up 7.4 per cent.

Notably, livestock product exports surged 84.3 per cent to $140.7 million. Exports of production inputs expanded 51.7 per cent, and salt exports rose 69 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Asia remained the largest export market for Việt Nam’s agro-forestry-fishery products, making up 45.5 per cent of total export value. The Americas ranked second with a 21 per cent share, followed by Europe at 15.7 per cent. Africa and Oceania accounted for 2.2 per cent and 1.4 per cent, respectively.

Compared to the same period last year, export value to Asia increased 27.7 per cent, while shipments to the Americas rose 10.4 per cent and to Europe 12 per cent. Exports to Oceania surged 32.4 per cent, and shipments to Africa declined 19.6 per cent.

By individual market, China remained Việt Nam’s largest importer, accounting for 22.9 per cent of total agro-forestry-fishery export turnover. The US followed with 18.7 per cent, and Japan came in third with 7.2 per cent.

During the reviewed period, exports to China soared 55.9 per cent year-on-year, while those to the US and Japan rose 9.2 per cent and 9.8 per cent, respectively.

The ministry said the positive growth results in the opening months of the year signal a market recovery, laying a favourable foundation for the sector to accelerate production, expand markets and strive to achieve its 2026 export target of $73–75 billion.

To sustain growth, the ministry will implement a range of coordinated measures, focusing on enhancing added value, promoting sustainable development and proactively adapting to increasingly stringent market requirements. In the context of complex geopolitical developments that may affect transport, payment and global trade flows, the sector will strengthen forecasting capacity and develop response scenarios to cope with international trade fluctuations.

On the production side, efforts will centre on tightening value chain management and strengthening linkages among production, preliminary processing, deep processing and distribution. Models associated with concentrated raw material areas, ensuring traceability and food safety, will be expanded to improve supply stability and product quality for export markets.

The ministry will also encourage enterprises to invest in technological innovation and deep processing linked to sustainable raw material zones and safe supply chains. Priority will be given to post-harvest preservation technologies and by-product processing in line with a circular economy model to maximise material utilisation, reduce losses and increase product value.

At the same time, authorities will enhance quality control capacity at processing and preservation facilities, guide enterprises in meeting technical standards and import requirements, and intensify trade promotion and brand building for Vietnamese agro-forestry-fishery products, while developing specialised, modern and sustainable logistics systems to improve competitiveness in global markets. — VNS