(VOVworld) – Looking for a sustainable development direction is a concern of Vietnamese farm product exporters. Vietnamese enterprises are planning to expand markets, improve product quality, and restructure export items.

Vietnam hopes to earn 9.7 billion USD this year from farm product exports for which China has been the biggest market. To reduce the current dependence on Chinese market, exporters are pursuing new markets like Japan, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, the EU, and the US.

Vietnam is negotiating a free trade agreement with the EU and has already signed 7 out of the 8 FTAs it has negotiated in Asia. Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly restructure exports and expand markets. Meanwhile the Vietnam Vegetable and Fruit Association has sought opportunities to export to demanding markets like the US, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, according to the Association’s President Dinh Van Huong.

Huong says: “Vietnam now has an opportunity. A number of major markets that consume a lot of imported vegetables and fruits are turning their eyes to Vietnamese products. Member enterprises in Ninh Binh, Tuyen Quang, Bac Giang, Ha Giang, and Hanoi’s outlying districts are boosting cooperation to ensure an adequate supply of qualified products. Our challenge is meeting the strict requirements and overcoming the technical barriers related to epidemic diseases, food hygiene, and food safety of leading markets like the US, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.”

Dragon fruit, one of Vietnam’s export items, is often made difficulties in the US market

To meet market requirements, Vietnamese enterprises have improved product quality and invested in processing technology to increase export value. Associations and industries are gradually abandoning the export of raw materials. The Vietnam Cashew Association is encouraging domestic processors to turn out new products with export values 8 to 10% higher than current export values.

Dang Hoang Giang, the Association’s secretary general, says: “cashew processing is our strong suit. We have made lots of improvements, and found a source of skilled workers. Many companies are involved in cashew processing but their production scale remains small and they depend on bank loans for capital.”

Until the end of this year, agricultural exports will continue to have problems. But Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh sees ways to help local businesses. He elaborates further: “Vietnamese companies must diversify export markets and ensure the sustainability of each. The Ministry will continue to help enterprises access new markets and will analyze the markets to help businesses develop export products that match the demand. This will ensure higher export values.”