Agriculture is believed to attain its export target of USD 50 billion

MARD Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien stated that the agriculture industry grew strongly in the first two months of 2022, bolstering confidence in the ability to meet its USD 50 billion export target.

Flourish at the beginning of the year

According to Deputy Minister of MARD Phung Duc Tien, the agriculture industry continued to perform well in the first two months of the year.

"Despite any circumstances, food security has been guaranteed and continues to be a core pillar, as affirmed by the Prime Minister, in ensuring the conditions for the country's industrialization and modernization, therefore contributing significantly to its growth," he added.

This is shown by figures that plant production, harvesting, and planting increased by more than 7.9 percent, food production increased by 10.2 percent to 3.89 million tons, and output increased by 2.2 percent to 59.9 quintals per hectare. As the Deputy Minister noted, this is critical information demonstrating that food security is ensured regardless of the conditions.

With 28 million pigs, 525 million poultry, and 9 million cows, food production can be considered promising. In particular, the pig herd grows by 2.9 percent, the cowherd grows by 0.9 percent, and the poultry flock grows by 2%.

"As a result, the production of meat, eggs, and milk is assured following the plan outlined in Government Decision 1520," MARD's head stated.

Although the fisheries sector has been hindered by several factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic and fluctuating petroleum costs, at the end of the first two months of 2022, output increased to 1.2 million tons, up 1.9 percent, and both fish and shrimp prices remain good. Exports of seafood are likely to reach USD 9 billion this year.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien elaborated on the forestry sector, stating that there are some encouraging signs as wood production increases while deforestation and forest fires decrease by up to 9%, gains from forest environmental services could exceed VND 3,200 billion, and exports of forestry products will undoubtedly reach USD 17 billion.

"In terms of international trade, the agriculture industry generated over USD 14.2 billion in January-February, with exports above USD 8 billion and imports exceeding USD 6.2 billion, resulting in a USD 1.8 billion surpluses," the MARD spokesman stated.

The aforementioned figures prove that agriculture, farmers, and rural regions remain a steady economic pillar, contributing to the growth of the national economy and society

The leader said that such great achievements were also a result of direction and management. MARD noticed issues and supplied appropriate solutions promptly.

Currently, the Covid-19 outbreak remains complicated; while the number of cases has dropped, the number of new infections has grown dramatically, consequently harming the agricultural sector's functioning. Additionally, the price of input items such as animal feed and seafood, as well as the price of gasoline, grew significantly.

Additionally, trade between Vietnam and Russia, and Ukraine is hampered by the armed conflict, while agricultural exports to China face several hurdles.

As a result, the agricultural industry is unlikely to thrive in the lack of suitable solutions, assessments, and orientations.

Comprehensive development

Assessing the challenges and prospects ahead, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien stated: "First and foremost, the recovery package for economic growth of VND 350,000 billion is being implemented slowly. Which allocates just VND 5,000 billion to agriculture to solve landslides on river and stream banks, as well as river and dam safety. As a result, agriculture must implement a variety of strategies to meet the Government's export target of USD 50 billion".

It is critical to maximizing the potential of the prior growth momentum in conventional markets, particularly between 2016 and 2020 and beginning in 2021.

For instance, when the Covid-19 epidemic broke out and affected various global supply chains, Vietnam boosted exports to certain regions, including the United States, Europe, South Korea, and Japan... Additionally, exports to China grew in the first two months of the year.

Apart from niche markets, new markets must be investigated and pushed. One may argue that we need to create markets holistically, both for export development and agricultural export promotion. It should be emphasized that certain locations, such as tra fish, offer several benefits. After three years of poor prices, raw tra fish prices have increased to between VND 27,000 and 30,000 per kg, and this year's export aim is USD 2 billion. At the moment, the Mekong Delta's tra fish associations are doing their best to meet the abundant orders," the deputy minister told reporters.

Additionally, he claimed that shrimp, woods, coffee, rice, cashew, pepper, and rubber were beginning a cycle of great favor.

"With the aforementioned advantages and synchronized and complete solutions, the agriculture industry is optimistic that it can meet and exceed the USD 50 billion objective," Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien underlined.

Source: Nongnghiep.vn