Arabfields, Hanoi, Vietnam — In a robust display of economic resilience amid global market fluctuations, Vietnam’s exports of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products have posted impressive gains in 2025. According to the latest figures from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the total export turnover for these sectors reached an estimated $58.13 billion in the first 10 months of the year, marking a 12.9% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This growth underscores the country’s strategic positioning as a key player in global agribusiness, driven by rising international demand, competitive pricing, and enhanced production capabilities.

The standout performance comes at a time when Vietnam continues to leverage its diverse agricultural landscape, from the fertile Mekong Delta rice paddies to the highlands rich in coffee and cashew plantations, and its extensive coastline supporting a thriving aquaculture industry. These sectors not only contribute significantly to the national GDP but also provide livelihoods for millions of rural households, highlighting their critical role in Vietnam’s socioeconomic fabric. The October figures alone illustrate this momentum: exports hit $5.96 billion, up 6.3% from October 2024, contributing to the cumulative 10-month tally.

Breaking down the exports by category reveals varied but generally positive trends across the board. Agricultural products led the charge with a value of $31.34 billion, reflecting a 15.5% rise. This category encompasses a wide array of staples and cash crops that form the backbone of Vietnam’s export economy. Livestock products followed suit, generating $512.9 million and growing by 19%, a testament to improvements in animal husbandry practices and disease control measures that have bolstered output and quality.

Aquatic products, including seafood from both capture fisheries and aquaculture, achieved $9.31 billion in exports, up 12.9%. Vietnam’s status as one of the world’s top seafood exporters is reinforced by this growth, with species like shrimp, pangasius, and tuna finding strong markets abroad. Meanwhile, forestry products, which include timber, wood products, and non-timber forest goods, totaled $14.93 billion, with a more modest 5.8% increase. This sector’s performance reflects ongoing efforts to promote sustainable forestry management amid international scrutiny on environmental standards.

Geographically, Asia remains the dominant destination for Vietnam’s agri-forestry-fishery exports, commanding a 44.7% market share. This regional focus is bolstered by proximity, cultural ties, and trade agreements that facilitate seamless cross-border commerce. The Americas and Europe trail behind, holding 22.7% and 13.8% shares, respectively, while Africa and Oceania account for 3% and 1.4%. Year-over-year comparisons show dynamic shifts: exports to Asia grew by 4.9%, to the Americas by 8.3%, and to Europe by a striking 37.5%. Even smaller markets exhibited vigor, with Africa seeing an 83.6% surge and Oceania a 6.8% uptick. These increases suggest Vietnam is successfully diversifying its export base, reducing reliance on traditional partners and tapping into emerging opportunities in developing regions.

At a more granular level, specific countries emerge as pivotal markets. China tops the list with a 21.4% share, followed closely by the United States at 20.4% and Japan at 7%. Growth rates here are equally encouraging: exports to China rose by 12%, to the U.S. by 6.2%, and to Japan by 20.4%. These figures highlight the effectiveness of bilateral trade pacts, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and various free trade agreements with the European Union and Asian neighbors, which have lowered tariffs and opened doors for Vietnamese goods.

Much of the overall export success can be attributed to favorable price dynamics in key commodities. Higher global prices for several products have amplified value gains, even where volumes remained stable or dipped slightly. Coffee, for instance, exemplifies this trend. With average export prices climbing 42.5%, Vietnam shipped 1.3 million tons of coffee over the 10 months, yielding $7.41 billion, a 13.5% volume increase and a whopping 61.8% value jump from 2024. Europe dominates coffee imports from Vietnam, with Germany (13.4%), Italy (7.8%), and Spain (7.4%) leading the pack. As one of the world’s largest coffee producers, Vietnam’s robusta beans are prized for their bold flavor and affordability, fueling demand in espresso blends and instant coffee markets.

Cashew nuts also shone brightly, with exports totaling 624,400 tons valued at $4.25 billion, up 2.2% in volume and 18.6% in value. The average price per ton reached over $6,806, a 16.1% improvement. China (21.1%), the U.S. (19.1%), and the Netherlands (9.6%) are the primary buyers, drawn to Vietnam’s processing prowess, which turns raw nuts into ready-to-eat kernels. This sector’s growth reflects investments in value-added processing, allowing Vietnam to capture more of the supply chain’s profits.

Pepper exports tell a similar story of price-driven gains. Despite a 5.9% drop in volume to 206,300 tons, the value soared to $1.4 billion, a 25.8% increase, thanks to a 33.7% rise in average prices to $6,774 per ton. As the global leader in black pepper production, Vietnam benefits from its spice’s essential role in cuisines worldwide, with price hikes linked to supply constraints elsewhere and steady demand.

Fruits and vegetables maintained their upward trajectory, with October exports at $961 million, pushing the 10-month total to $7.09 billion, up 15.1%. China absorbs 62.9% of these shipments, underscoring the border trade’s vitality, while the U.S. (6.6%) and South Korea (3.9%) round out the top markets. Tropical delights like dragon fruit, durian, and mangoes drive this category, appealing to health-conscious consumers globally.

However, not all sectors escaped challenges. Rice exports faced headwinds, with volumes and values declining amid subdued global demand and competitive pressures. October saw 421,100 tons exported for $216.9 million, contributing to a 10-month total of 7.2 million tons worth $3.7 billion, down 6.5% in volume and 23.8% in value. Average prices fell 18.5% to $511 per ton, reflecting oversupply in key markets and shifts in consumer preferences toward other grains.

Despite these isolated setbacks, the overarching narrative for Vietnam’s agri-forestry-fishery exports in 2025 is one of optimism and expansion. Industry experts attribute the gains to a combination of government support through subsidies, infrastructure upgrades, and trade diplomacy, alongside farmers’ adoption of modern techniques for higher yields and quality. Looking ahead, sustaining this momentum will require addressing climate vulnerabilities, ensuring supply chain stability, and navigating geopolitical tensions that could impact trade flows. As Vietnam aims to solidify its position in the global food supply chain, these sectors stand poised to deliver even greater contributions to the nation’s prosperity.