On the occasion of the exhibition on the theme 'Beautiful images of American agriculture', Ms. Susan Burns, US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, shared about the potential for US-Vietnam agricultural exports and agricultural cooperation between the two countries.

From December 16, 2024 to June 15, 2025, a mural photo exhibition will be held on the wall of the US Consulate General on Le Duan Street, District 1. The exhibition is organized by the Department of Foreign Agricultural Affairs of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

On this occasion, Ms. Susan Burns, US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, shared about the joint efforts of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam (MARD) to promote US-Vietnam agricultural exports.

Success in bilateral agricultural exports

"We have had some great successes in the past few years. For example, Vietnamese grapefruit has been exported to the US market and has had a very successful first 10 months of the year (revenue of about 5 million USD). This is also one of my favorite fruits," said Ms. Burns.

And in July this year, US peaches and nectarines were also approved by the competent authorities to be imported into the Vietnamese market. "That is great news because we really like peaches. So it is great that we can eat American peaches in Vietnam," said the Consul General.

The US Consul General highly appreciated the potential to promote bilateral agricultural trade in the coming time. "I think it is a natural complement, such as fruits grown in the US that cannot be grown in Vietnam. Besides, there are many health benefits that cherries and blueberries have been proven to contain high levels of antioxidants," said Ms. Burns.

Regarding Vietnamese agricultural products exported to the US market, the US Mission in Vietnam works with farmers and trade associations to help understand how to bring agricultural products to the US. Inspection work is also carried out in Vietnam before products are exported to the US.

Peaches and wheat are among the images promoted in this exhibition. Photo: Nhat Thinh

"Therefore, I am delighted that many Vietnamese agricultural products have the potential to access the US market, especially tropical fruits that cannot be grown in the US," she said.

Smart agriculture project in the Mekong Delta

Regarding the activities that the US mission is implementing to support agricultural production in Vietnam, Ms. Burns mentioned the more than 4 million USD project called "Using fertilizers correctly". Through this project, farmers know how to use fertilizers more effectively and reduce the risk of pollution.

In addition, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US is preparing to implement the "Climate Smart Agriculture Program" project with a budget of 40 million USD to support agriculture in the Mekong Delta to adapt to climate change.

"We know that many farmers are forced to change their farming methods (due to the impact of climate change - NV). Therefore, the project aims to help farmers make a better transition and improve their lives. The project has just been approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and will enter the implementation phase in 2025," the US Consul General shared.

In addition to the tariff issue on certain products such as US beef, Ms. Burns mentioned some other issues that need to be addressed: how to transport from Vietnam to the US while still maintaining freshness.

"This is an issue around the cold chain because the goods are transported over long distances. Through the US Department of Agriculture, we are willing to provide additional advice to Vietnamese farmers on the safe and sustainable transportation of agricultural products," the US Consul General suggested.

Mr. Andrew Anderson-Sprecher, Senior Agricultural Attaché at the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, also mentioned the importance of the cold chain and logistics infrastructure between the US and Vietnam, especially to ensure the safety and quality of agricultural products during transportation. That is why he believes that there will be more opportunities for bilateral cooperation in this area.

Prospects for cooperation in 2025

Ms. Burns also shared about the next fruit from Vietnam that could enter the US market. "That's passion fruit, a fruit that I really like but is not grown in the US. Passion fruit is actually considered a luxury fruit in the US market because it is a tropical fruit, and I would be very excited if the US had this fruit," according to the Consul General.

She also looks forward to being able to enjoy fruits from the US during her term in Vietnam. For the US Consul General, there are fruits that are associated with her homeland and nostalgia for her homeland. "My grandfather used to make peach juice when I was a child. It tastes great. And cherries remind me of my time in Miami (Florida)," she shared.

According to her, an interesting thing that few people know is that Americans are extremely proud of their agricultural origins, creating high-quality agricultural products and exporting them, from beef, cotton, food to vegetables. "I also know the importance of agriculture to the Vietnamese people, and no matter how much Vietnam has changed, it still retains its agricultural roots. I feel that the two countries have many similarities in terms of agricultural heritage. I have enjoyed the opportunities to talk directly with farmers recently and I hope to have more opportunities to interact in 2025," said Consul General Burns.

According to Attaché Anderson-Sprecher, the agricultural relationship between the US and Vietnam is constructive and continues to make progress to deepen bilateral trade relations. The two countries also implement many exchange programs in the agricultural field, such as the Cochrane Fellowship, Borlaug Fellowship and Fellowship Exchange Program, bringing Vietnamese experts to the US to learn from experience.

Mr. Andrew Anderson-Sprecher, Senior Agricultural Attaché at the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Nhat Thinh

Regarding the potential for market expansion next year, Attaché Anderson-Sprecher said that US producers see Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam, as a good opportunity to expand their markets.

2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the US, and food and beverage will be on the event schedule, Consul General Burns said: "We will organize a big festival for the public in Ho Chi Minh City in 2025, most likely in May, hoping to cooperate with some restaurants, retailers... The best part will be using US agricultural products to prepare Vietnamese dishes, and that will be a great symbol of the close relationship between the two countries," she concluded.

Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper