Vietnam’s agricultural, forestry and fishery exports reached USD 56.3 billion in the first nine months of the year, up 7.8%. Notably, fruit and vegetable exports increased by nearly 20%, while seafood exports rose 12.3%, providing important momentum for overall growth.

According to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment on the afternoon of October 1, Vietnam’s agricultural, forestry and fishery exports were estimated at USD 56.3 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 7.8% year on year, while the trade surplus reached USD 16.9 billion, an increase of 7.4%.

In September 2026 alone, agricultural, forestry and fishery exports were estimated at USD 6.51 billion, up 5.7% from the same period last year.

Over the nine-month period, agricultural exports reached USD 29.28 billion, up 3.1%; livestock products reached USD 564.4 million, up 24.6%; and seafood exports totaled USD 9.17 billion, up 12.3%. Forestry product exports reached nearly USD 14.41 billion, an increase of 7.6%; agricultural production inputs generated USD 2.86 billion, up 58.2%; and salt exports reached USD 11.3 million, up 35.1%.

Among key export categories, fruit and vegetables continued to record notable growth. In the first nine months, fruit and vegetable exports reached nearly USD 7.35 billion, up 19.9% compared with the same period in 2025.

China remained the largest market, accounting for 63% of Vietnam’s total fruit and vegetable export value, followed by the United States and South Korea.

Seafood exports also maintained their upward momentum, reaching USD 9.17 billion in the first nine months, up 12.3%. China, the United States and Japan were the three largest markets.

In the forestry sector, exports of wood and wood products reached nearly USD 13.43 billion, up 7.3%. The United States accounted for 50.1% of the market share, followed by China and Japan.

Several other commodities also recorded positive results. Pepper exports reached USD 1.4 billion, up 10.2%; cashew nut exports totaled USD 3.85 billion, up 2%; and livestock product exports reached USD 564.4 million, an increase of 24.6%.

The overall picture for agricultural, forestry and fishery exports during the first nine months was not uniformly positive, however, as several key commodities recorded declines in both volume and value.

Coffee was one notable example. During the nine-month period, Vietnam exported approximately 1.4 million tonnes of coffee worth USD 6.54 billion. Export volume increased by 15.4%, while export value declined by 7.3% year on year. The average export price stood at approximately USD 4,537 per tonne, down 19.7%.

Rice exports reached 6.4 million tonnes worth USD 3.11 billion, representing declines of 6.1% in volume and 10.9% in value. The average rice export price fell by 5.1% to approximately USD 484.8 per tonne.

Rubber export value also declined by 4.4% to USD 2.18 billion, while export volume decreased by 16.2%. In contrast, the average export price increased by 14.1%.

Cassava and cassava product exports declined by 4.5% in value, despite a 23.5% increase in the average export price.

These developments indicate that growth in agricultural, forestry and fishery exports is being shaped by a combination of higher volumes, market expansion and price fluctuations. For some sectors, increased export volumes do not necessarily translate into higher export value.

In terms of markets, Asia remained Vietnam’s largest destination for agricultural, forestry and fishery exports, accounting for 49.4% of the total, followed by the Americas at 22.2% and Europe at 13.5%.

Among individual markets, China accounted for 24.4%, the United States 19.8%, and Japan 7.4%.

During the first nine months of the year, Vietnam’s agricultural, forestry and fishery exports to Asia increased by 11.9%, while exports to the Americas rose 2.3%, Europe 2.6%, and Oceania 15.5%. Africa was the only region to record a decline, falling 16.7%.

With Vietnam targeting agricultural, forestry and fishery exports of at least USD 74 billion in 2026, the USD 56.3 billion recorded during the first nine months means the fourth quarter will remain a critical period for achieving the full-year target.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment aims to continue implementing key sector development measures, with a particular focus on achieving the export target of at least USD 74 billion.

Source: Bao Cong thuong