Potential for exporting US-Vietnamese agricultural products in 2025

From December 16, 2024 to June 15, 2025, the mural photo exhibition will be held on the wall of the US Consulate General on Le Duan Street, District 1. The exhibition is organized by the Department of Foreign Agricultural Affairs of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

On this occasion, Ms. Susan Burns, US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, shared about the joint efforts of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to promote exports. American-Vietnamese agricultural products.

Success in bilateral agricultural product export

“We have achieved some great successes in the past few years. For example, Vietnamese grapefruit was exported to the US market and had a successful first 10 months of the year (achieving revenue of about 5 million USD) . This is also one of my favorite fruits,” Ms. Burns said.

And in July this year, American peaches and nectarines were also approved by competent authorities for import into the Vietnamese market. “That’s great news because we really like peaches. So it’s great that we can eat American peaches in Vietnam,” according to the consul general.

The US Consul General highly appreciated the potential to promote bilateral agricultural trade activities in the coming time. “I think it’s a natural supplement, such as fruits grown in the US that cannot be grown in Vietnam. Besides, there are many health benefits that cherries and blueberries have. proven to contain high levels of antioxidants,” according to Ms. Burns.

Regarding Vietnamese agricultural products exported to the US market, the US mission in Vietnam works with farmers and trade associations to help understand more about how to bring agricultural products to the US. Inspection work is also carried out in Vietnam before the product is exported to the US.

“So I am excited about the possibility that many Vietnamese agricultural products have the potential to reach the US market, especially tropical fruits that cannot be grown in the US,” she said.

Smart agriculture project in the Mekong Delta

Regarding the activities the US mission is implementing to support agricultural production in Vietnam, Ms. Burns mentioned the more than 4 million USD project called “Using Fertilizer Correctly”. Through this project, farmers learn how to use fertilizer more effectively and reduce the risk of pollution.

In addition, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US is preparing to implement the project “Climate Smart Agriculture Program” with a budget of 40 million USD to support adaptive agriculture in the Mekong Delta. respond to climate change.

“We know that many farmers are forced to change their farming methods (because of the impact of climate change – NV). Therefore, the project aims to help farmers make a better transition and move forward. improving lives. The project has just been approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and will enter the implementation phase in 2025,” the US Consul General shared.

Besides the issue of tariffs on some products such as US beef, Ms. Burns mentioned a number of other issues that need to be resolved: how to transport from Vietnam to the US and still maintain freshness.

“This is an issue around the cold chain because goods are transported long distances. Through the US Department of Agriculture, we are happy to provide additional advice to Vietnamese farmers on the safe transport of agricultural products and sustainable”, the US Consul General suggested.

Mr. Andrew Anderson-Sprecher, Senior Agricultural Attache of the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City, also mentioned the importance of the cold supply chain and logistics infrastructure between the US and Vietnam, especially to ensure the safety and quality of agricultural products during transportation. That’s why he thinks there will be more opportunities for bilateral cooperation in this field.

Cooperation prospects in 2025

Ms. Burns also shared about the next Vietnamese fruit that could enter the US market. “It’s a passion fruit, a fruit I really like that’s not grown in the US. Passion fruit is actually considered quite a luxury fruit in the US market because it’s a tropical fruit, and I’d be very excited if the US had more of it.” this fruit,” according to the consul general.

She also looks forward to being able to enjoy fruits from the US during her term in Vietnam. For the US Consul General, there are fruits associated with the homeland and nostalgia for home. “My grandfather often made a drink made from peaches when I was young. The taste was wonderful. And the cherries reminded me of the time I spent in Miami (Florida state),” she shared.

According to her, an interesting thing that few people know is that Americans are extremely proud to come from farming, creating quality agricultural products and exporting them, from beef, cotton, food to vegetables. “I also know the importance of agriculture to Vietnamese people, and no matter how much Vietnam changes drastically, it still retains its agricultural roots. I feel that the two countries have many similarities in terms of heritage. agricultural products. I have enjoyed the recent opportunities to talk directly with farmers and I hope to have the opportunity to interact more in 2025,” said Consul General Burns.

According to Attaché Anderson-Sprecher, agricultural relations between the US and Vietnam are constructive and continue to make progress to deepen bilateral trade relations. The two countries also implemented many exchange programs in the field of agriculture, such as the Cochrane Fellowship, Borlaug Fellowship and Fellowship Exchange Program, bringing Vietnamese experts to the US to learn from experience.

Regarding the potential for market expansion next year, Attaché Anderson-Sprecher said that manufacturers in the US see Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam, as a good opportunity to expand the market.

In 2025, the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the US will take place, and cuisine and food will be on the schedule of events, Consul General Burns said: “We will organize big public festival in Ho Chi Minh City in 2025, most likely in May, hoping to cooperate with some restaurants, retailers… The best part will be using American agricultural products to prepare transform Vietnamese dishes Vietnam, and it will be a great symbol of the two countries’ tight relations,” she concluded.