Arabfields, Meriem Senouci, Correspondent, Hanoï, Vietnam — The exports of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products from Vietnam have recorded a notable increase of more than 17 percent during the first two months of 2026, signaling a strong start to the year and underscoring the resilience of this vital economic sector. This growth trajectory not only highlights the ongoing recovery in global demand but also positions the country favorably to meet its ambitious annual targets through sustained efforts in production enhancement and market diversification. In February 2026, the export value for these categories stood at 4.71 billion US dollars, reflecting a decline of 28.4 percent from the preceding month while still registering a modest rise of 1.9 percent compared to the equivalent period in the prior year. When aggregated across January and February, the cumulative export value reached approximately 11.3 billion US dollars, representing an overall expansion of 17.1 percent relative to the same timeframe in 2025, a development that reflects improved performance across multiple subsectors and key trading partners.

Within this overall performance, agricultural products alone accounted for 6.09 billion US dollars, achieving an identical growth rate of 17.1 percent and demonstrating consistent demand for staple crops and related goods. Seafood exports contributed 1.76 billion US dollars, advancing at a robust pace of 23.3 percent, which can be attributed to heightened international interest in sustainable marine resources and effective supply chain management. Forestry products followed closely with a value of 2.82 billion US dollars and a growth of 7.4 percent, supported by steady orders for wood-based items and processed materials. Livestock exports experienced an exceptional surge, totaling 140.7 million US dollars with an 84.3 percent increase, indicative of expanding opportunities in protein markets worldwide. Production inputs rose by 51.7 percent, while salt exports grew by 69 percent, further illustrating the breadth of gains across supporting categories and the sector’s ability to capitalize on diverse opportunities.

Market distribution reveals Asia as the predominant destination, capturing 45.5 percent of the total share and underscoring the region’s enduring importance as a primary outlet for Vietnamese goods. The Americas accounted for 21 percent, followed by Europe at 15.7 percent, with Africa and Oceania representing 2.2 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively. Year-on-year comparisons show particularly dynamic expansion in several regions, with exports to Asia climbing by 27.7 percent, to the Americas by 10.4 percent, to Europe by 12 percent, and to Oceania by an impressive 32.4 percent. In contrast, shipments to Africa experienced a contraction of 19.6 percent, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to restore balance in that area. Among individual countries, China maintained its position as the leading market with 22.9 percent of total exports and a substantial increase of 55.9 percent, driven by strong bilateral ties and demand for a wide array of products. The United States ranked second at 18.7 percent with growth of 9.2 percent, while Japan held third place at 7.2 percent, advancing by 9.8 percent and reinforcing the strategic value of established partnerships in high-value segments.

These encouraging figures from the opening months of 2026 demonstrate a clear market rebound, establishing a solid platform for continued stimulation of production activities, broader market penetration, and the pursuit of elevated performance throughout the remainder of the year. Building on this momentum, projections for the full year of 2026 anticipate that export values will reach between 73 and 75 billion US dollars, a forecast grounded directly in the observed early gains and the sector’s capacity to scale operations effectively. Should the 17.1 percent growth rate observed in the initial period be maintained or modestly adjusted through proactive measures, the sector stands poised to achieve this range, potentially even exceeding it if external conditions remain supportive and internal efficiencies continue to improve. Such an outcome would mark a significant advancement over previous years, reflecting not only quantitative expansion but also qualitative enhancements in product competitiveness and supply reliability.

To realize these projections, a comprehensive set of measures has been prioritized, centering on the elevation of added value, the promotion of sustainable practices, and the agile adaptation to shifting market requirements amid an increasingly intricate global environment. Geopolitical complexities that may influence transportation routes, payment systems, and overall trade dynamics are being addressed through strengthened predictive capabilities and the formulation of contingency scenarios designed to mitigate potential disruptions. In the realm of production management, attention is directed toward optimizing the full value chain, from initial cultivation and harvesting through preprocessing, advanced transformation, and final consumption, thereby creating integrated linkages that enhance efficiency at every stage. Models focused on concentrated raw material zones are being expanded and replicated to guarantee traceability and adherence to food safety protocols, which in turn stabilize supply flows and elevate the quality standards expected by discerning international buyers.

Enterprises across the sector are actively encouraged to channel investments into technological innovations that support deeper processing linked to resilient and environmentally sound supply chains. Particular focus is placed on post-harvest preservation techniques and the productive reuse of byproducts in alignment with circular economy principles, approaches that maximize resource utilization, curtail waste, and substantially amplify the overall value derived from each unit of output. By progressively increasing the share of processed and value-added items in both domestic consumption and export portfolios, reliance on unprocessed raw materials is expected to diminish over time, fostering greater economic returns and long-term sustainability. Quality assurance frameworks are being reinforced within processing and storage facilities, with guidance provided to ensure full compliance with the technical norms, quarantine procedures, food safety regulations, and traceability demands imposed by major importing nations, especially those exhibiting sustained high demand.

Complementing these internal advancements, initiatives aimed at cultivating recognizable Vietnamese brands for agricultural, forestry, and aquatic offerings are gaining traction, as these brands serve to distinguish products in crowded global marketplaces and build enduring consumer trust. Trade facilitation efforts are being intensified to align supply with demand more precisely, while the development of a dedicated, modern logistics infrastructure is underway to achieve greater sustainability, lower operational expenses, and heightened competitiveness for outbound shipments. This logistical evolution is essential for maintaining product integrity during transit and for responding swiftly to market signals across diverse geographies.

On the front of market access, ongoing negotiations seek to secure favorable entry conditions for premium-quality goods by systematically resolving technical obstacles related to sanitary and phytosanitary standards in core export destinations. International partnerships are being cultivated to support the conclusion of mutual recognition agreements within the food domain, thereby streamlining export processes and reducing administrative hurdles that could otherwise impede growth. Collectively, these coordinated actions are projected to sustain the positive trajectory established in the first two months, enabling the sector not only to attain the targeted 73 to 75 billion US dollars in 2026 but also to lay the groundwork for accelerated expansion in subsequent years through enhanced innovation, brand strength, and adaptive resilience.

As the year progresses, the integration of these strategies will play a pivotal role in transforming early gains into enduring success, with the 11.3 billion US dollars recorded in January and February 2026 serving as a benchmark for measuring incremental achievements. The diversified growth across agricultural, seafood, forestry, and ancillary categories, combined with favorable shifts in key markets such as China, the United States, and Japan, provides a clear indication that Vietnam’s agro-forestry-aquatic sector is well equipped to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities. Projections rooted in the current data further suggest that, with continued emphasis on value addition and sustainable development, annual exports could stabilize at the upper end of the 73 to 75 billion US dollars range or potentially move beyond it if additional efficiencies are realized in logistics and quality control. This forward-looking outlook reinforces the sector’s contribution to national economic objectives and highlights the importance of maintaining momentum through collaborative efforts between producers, processors, and policymakers.

In summary, the robust performance observed in early 2026, characterized by the 17.1 percent overall increase and specific surges in high-potential areas like livestock and seafood, establishes a compelling narrative of progress that is expected to define the full-year results. By methodically implementing the outlined production enhancements, technological investments, brand development programs, and market expansion tactics, the sector is positioned to deliver on its ambitious forecasts while adapting to the evolving demands of the global trade landscape. The statistics for 2026 already demonstrate tangible advancements, from the February total of 4.71 billion US dollars to the two-month aggregate of 11.3 billion US dollars, and these figures will serve as critical reference points as the industry advances toward the projected annual milestone of 73 to 75 billion US dollars, ensuring sustained growth and enhanced international standing for Vietnamese products.