Promoting Vietnam’s agro-forestry-fishery exports to EU

On November 13, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) held a workshop on promoting Vietnam’s agricultural, forestry and fishery exports to the European Union (EU) market. The event brought together representatives from ministries, sectors, industry associations and Vietnamese exporting enterprises. The workshop was connected online to locations in provinces and cities across the country, as well as Vietnamese embassies in EU member states.

Member of the Provincial Party Committee (PPC) and Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang attended the workshop from the Dong Nai venue, together with leaders of departments, agencies, units and business associations in the province.

Member of the PPC and Vice Chairwoman of Dong Nai People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang chairs the workshop from the Dong Nai venue. Photo: Hai Quan

According to the MoFA, the EU has a population of more than 450 million and a GDP of USD 19.4 trillion. It is the world’s third-largest consumer of agricultural, forestry and fishery products and is currently Vietnam’s fourth-largest export market, accounting for around 12% of the country’s total agro-forestry-fishery export turnover.

In the first nine months of 2025, Vietnam’s agricultural, forestry and fishery exports to the EU reached USD 7.42 billion, up more than 40% year-on-year. However, Vietnam’s exports account for only about 2% of the EU’s market share, which remains disproportionate to the country’s potential and market’s demand.

The workshop served as a platform for ministries, sectors, localities and enterprises to discuss and assess the current status of agro-forestry-fishery exports to the EU market. Delegates were also updated on the bloc’s latest regulations and proposed solutions to foster sustainable exports while effectively leveraging the free trade agreements between Vietnam and the EU.

Representatives of departments and sectors attend the workshop from the Dong Nai venue. Photo: Hai Quan

According to the Dong Nai Department of Agriculture and Environment, during the first 9 months of 2025, the EU continued to affirm its position as one of the province’s strategic trade partners in the agricultural, forestry and fishery sectors. Total import-export turnover with the EU exceeded USD 1 billion, with exports overwhelmingly dominant at USD 949 million.

This impressive export performance reflects Dong Nai’s ability to meet the EU market’s stringent quality standards. The province’s key export items to the EU are highly diverse, including wood and wooden products, coffee, rubber-based products, cashew nuts, pepper, vegetables and fruits, and confectionery.

By Hai Quan – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha