Minister Nguyễn Xuân Cường: Focus on the development of Chinese and domestic markets

In the morning of April 10, 2020, in Hanoi, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired a national online conference of the Government with the localities on solutions and tasks for an integrated and comprehensive response to the impacts from COVID-19 to the social and economic aspects. Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong participated in the Conference from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Speaking at the Conference, MARD Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong said: "Regarding food production, by April, we have already finished the winter-spring crop in many regions such as Mekong Delta, Southeast, South Central and Western. Totally, 2 million hectares has been harvested, reaching 13 million tons and slightly exceeded the set target ".

According to the Minister, the current winter-spring crop still has 1.1 million hectares from Hue province outward, including 31 provinces, although accounting for only 30% of the rice area but very important in the structure of food security as those provinces make up approximately 50% of the country’s population. Currently, all those 31 provinces have identified their tasks and focused on directing the winter-spring crop. With this momentum, there will be a successful winter-spring crop, fulfilling the goal of 20.5 million tons of paddy.  The remaining crops of the year will be continued with the target to reach 43.5 million tons of paddy throughout the year. Besides, the whole country basically completes the target of food, from now till the end of the year, it can still be guaranteed. However, the herd of pigs has a slow recovery rate due to the impact of African swine fever (ASF) so the pork price is still high.

"Particularly for agricultural export target, the first quarter was as much as compared to the same period of 2019. We will focus to improve the export turnover taking into account the context that a number of large markets are freezing. In the immediate future, the agriculture sector will focus to promote Chinese and domestic markets" Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong added.

Regarding Chinese market, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said he would coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to promote cross-border trade. However, the localities need to follow recommendations from the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development so as not to waste resources when they transported agricultural products to the border before they can be exported.