To ensure the sustainable export of agricultural products, Vietnam must invest in processing standard agricultural and aquatic products to overcome strict technical barriers in demanding markets like the United States, the European Union, and Japan. Beyond that, exporters need to promote trade in new markets like Africa and the Middle East.
The General Department of Customs said the exportation of agricultural, forest and aquatic products has regained growth momentum, with rising quantity and value in most key items. Export turnover of these items in May was estimated at US$2.3 billion, totalling nearly US$10.9 billion in the first five months of 2011, up 10.1 percent year on year.
Markedly, except for rice and rubber with a slight decrease in volume and value, other agricultural commodities make a progress. The exportation of agricultural products generated US$6.1 billion in the five-month period, up 2 percent over the same period of last year. Rice shipments weighed 3 million tonnes worth US$1.4 billion from January to May.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, rice is a staple export. However, overseas shipments were unfavourable this year. The country was predicted to send 850,000 tonnes valued at US$390 million in May. Rice export in the first five months declined 9.5 percent in volume and 14.2 percent in value. Rice prices continue going down. Average export price was US$470 per tonne, a decrease of 4.8 percent over the same period of last year.
Rice export markets changed significantly this year. Rice export to China rose 4.4 times in volume and nearly 4 times in value compared with the same period in 2011, making it the largest importer of Vietnamese rice. Besides, Malaysia surpassed Indonesia to become the second biggest importer of Vietnamese staple thanks to its nearly 30 percent growth. Rice exporters also actively sought for new markets. Export to Africa markedly expanded, particularly to Ivory Coast, Ghana and Senegal.
The country shipped abroad 860,000 tonnes of coffee worth nearly US$1.8 billion in five months, up 7.8 percent in volume and 3 percent in value. Germany and the United States were the largest importers of Vietnamese coffee with 13.9 percent and 12.8 percent of market shares, respectively. Noticeably, the shipment to Indonesia rose 8 times over the same period in 2011.
Meanwhile, although rubber demand was still quite high, with growth seen in many markets like China (16.8 percent), Malaysia (3 times), Taiwan (61 percent) and India (6 times), low prices sent down the value. The country exported 317,000 tonnes of rubber valued at US$952 million, up 35.2 percent in volume but down 7.2 percent in value. Export price averaged US$3,000 per tonne, a decrease of US$1,365 over the same period last year.
Exportation of other commodities such as tea and cashew nut was stable. Vietnam exported 49,000 tonnes of tea valued at more than US$69 million in five months, up 17.2 percent in volume and 14.8 percent in value year on year. Pakistan was the largest importer of Vietnamese tea. Growths were seen in most markets except for Russia and Germany. Notably, pepper export surged in value. In May, the country sent abroad 15,000 tonnes worth US$102 million, bringing the total volume to 62,000 tonnes and US$424 million in the first five months, up 14.5 percent in volume and 47.2 percent in value on year. Average export price was US$6,795 per tonne, a rise of US$1,682, over the previous year. Except for United States and Germany, other markets saw growth.
Hien Thinh
Vietnamese
