Not only focusing on expanding and connecting with the domestic market, the Mekong Delta (MD) in recent years has paid special attention to the agricultural export market.

Localities in the region have proposed appropriate development solutions to bring agricultural products from the Delta further, affirming their position in the international market. According to data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, many agricultural export products have exceeded the 1 billion USD mark, such as vegetables, rice, shrimp, etc., and most of these product groups come from the Mekong Delta. Particularly for rice, in 2024, it is estimated that the total amount of rice exported nationwide will remain at over 8 million tons, of which the Mekong Delta will account for 7.6 million tons.

In 2024, it is estimated that the total rice export volume of the whole country will remain above 8 million tons, of which the Mekong Delta region will account for 7.6 million tons.

Despite the positive growth figures, the region's agricultural exports have been, are and will be facing challenges from climate change, water resource depletion, saline intrusion, new trends of trade protectionism... and above all, they have not developed commensurate with their available potential.

For example, although Can Tho City possesses many advantages for development, Mr. Huynh Thanh Su - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Can Tho City, commented: "The city's agricultural exports in general and rice in particular still face many challenges due to the complicated and unpredictable developments in global food trade, affecting the city's production, business and rice export activities. On the other hand, most businesses have difficulty accessing credit capital, so they are not proactive in purchasing rice reserves for export. The source of raw materials is unstable in quantity and quality, reducing the value of exported products".

Similarly, in Bac Lieu province, seafood, rice and salt are the three main export items, of which shrimp is the main export item accounting for over 95% of the province's export turnover. However, Mr. To Minh Duong - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Bac Lieu province, said: "The competition and conflicts between major countries are increasingly fierce; inflation and monetary policies of some major economies still contain many uncertain factors... have been and are greatly affecting the export activities of enterprises. Meanwhile, the majority of enterprises in the province are mainly small and medium-sized, with limited business capacity and lack of knowledge about the market and international law. At the same time, enterprises are still not capable of recognizing and avoiding technical barriers, and are confused in finding solutions...".

Faced with the above situation, experts believe that, in addition to the challenges, agricultural exports in the Mekong Delta still have advantages from the increasing demand for food in the world. Agricultural exports can take advantage of opportunities from free trade agreements that Vietnam has signed...

In addition, green transformation is a trend that Vietnam needs to promote when entering the global playing field. Therefore, localities in the region need to effectively implement the Project on Sustainable Development of One Million Hectares of High-Quality and Low-Emission Rice Cultivation Associated with Green Growth in the Mekong Delta.

In addition, localities in the region also need to orient export businesses to change the way they export goods towards digital export. Thereby, helping businesses optimize supply chain management, transportation, ensure product quality, maintain and increase the export value of goods, and increase income for farmers.

Source: Tai Chinh Doanh Nghiep Magazine