Agricultural, forestry and fishery exports after 2 months reached 9.38 billion USD, trade surplus 2.05 billion USD, making an important contribution to maintaining the trade balance of goods of the economy.

Favorable production and export

On the morning of March 11, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment held a February meeting. Minister Do Duc Duy attended and chaired the meeting.

Reporting to the Minister, the Department of Planning and Finance said that forestry and fishery exports in the first two months of 2025 grew strongly. Specifically, forestry exports are estimated at about 2.68 billion USD, up 11.9% over the same period in 2024; fishery exports reached 1.42 billion USD, up 18.6%.

Minister Do Duc Duy attended and chaired the conference on the morning of March 11. Photo: Khuong Trung.

These are two groups of goods with high growth rates, equal to and exceeding the Government's target (12%) and higher than the average growth rate of the total export turnover of goods of the whole economy (according to the General Statistics Office, it was 8.4% in the first 2 months of the year).

Overall, most groups of agricultural, forestry and fishery products for export increased compared to the same period last year, reaching 9.38 billion USD, up 8.3%. In particular, in February 2025, exports reached 4.4 billion USD, up 32.7% compared to February 2024.

Thanks to the maintained growth rate, the total export turnover of agriculture, forestry and fishery products after 2 months reached 9.38 billion USD, with a trade surplus of 2.05 billion USD, making an important contribution to maintaining the trade balance of goods of the whole economy - reaching a surplus of 1.47 billion USD.

Domestic production has developed well. The highlight is that the pig herd increased by about 3.2%, the poultry herd increased by 3.4% compared to the same period in 2024. Aquaculture output reached 692,200 tons, up 4.9%, while exploitation output was 550,700 tons, down 0.5%. The planted forest area reached 20,100 hectares, up 6.5%; exploited wood output was more than 2.6 million m3, up 18.9%, forest environmental service revenue was more than 682 billion VND, up 11%.

Completing 61.5% of assigned tasks

The Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment assessed that in the first two months of the year, the Ministry directed localities to focus on planting and caring for winter-spring rice and vegetables, and at the same time carefully prepare the contents for the working session with the 5th EC Inspection Team on combating IUU fishing.

Forest fire prevention work has also been strongly implemented, especially in high-risk areas such as the Southeast, Central Highlands and Northwest regions.

Chief of Office Le Van Thanh reports on some key tasks in February. Photo: Khuong Trung.

Incidents related to food safety, shipments warned in import markets, and the expansion of agricultural and food export markets were noted and handled promptly.

The Ministry also focused on forecasting and warning of natural disasters and extreme weather events, especially in the context of complex climate change. Monitoring and providing timely response solutions have helped localities and communities be more proactive in protecting assets and limiting damage caused by natural disasters.

Regarding the task of disbursing public investment capital, according to Decision No. 1508/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has allocated and disbursed VND 977.9 billion, reaching 4.7% of the plan. Although lower than the national average, the Ministry is committed to promoting effective disbursement of important projects by the end of 2025.

Regarding the work of perfecting the organizational apparatus, the Ministry has completed the construction and implementation of decisions on the functions, tasks and organizational structure of its affiliated units. Along with that, perfecting leadership positions, ensuring stability and efficiency in management activities.

One of the bright spots in the first months of the year for the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is the active handling of local petitions and proposals. As of February 21, the Ministry has been handling 1,753 tasks, of which 1,079 have been completed (reaching 61.5%).

Director of the Department of Planning and Finance Dang Ngoc Diep speaks. Photo: Khuong Trung.

Ensuring the merger process does not affect the people

Speaking at the conference, Minister Do Duc Duy reaffirmed the importance of implementing and completing the Project to merge the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, advising the Government to issue Decree No. 35/2025/ND-CP stipulating the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

"With outstanding results in directing, operating and implementing tasks, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has affirmed its important role in ensuring sustainable development of the country's agriculture, natural resources and environment sectors," the Minister said, emphasizing that the Ministry has a solid foundation to complete the goals in 2025 and the following years.

From March 1, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment officially came into operation. The merger process went smoothly, without affecting the production and business activities of enterprises as well as the lives of the people.

Minister Do Duc Duy requested the units under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to focus on issues such as: stabilizing the organizational structure, integrating the work of the two ministries and implementing important tasks in the coming time, first of all in March 2025 and the second quarter.

In the 2025 plan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will develop 41 projects and tasks, and issue 58 circulars. The Ministry has completed and submitted to the Government 5 Decrees, including important policies on minerals, environment and agricultural production.

Source: Nong Nghiep Newspaper