Hanoi (VNA) -🌠 A representative from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment stated that during this period, all sectors within the agriculture and environment industries maintained positive momentum and steady growth.

Agro-forestry-fishery exports totalled 9.38 billion USD, resulting in a trade surplus of 2.05 billion USD, making a notable contribution to the national economy’s overall trade balance. These key outcomes were presented at the Ministry’s February 2025 monthly briefing, held on March 11. According to the Ministry’s Department of Planning and Finance, most export categories posted growth compared to the same period in 2024. In February alone, export revenue reached 4.4 billion USD, representing a 32.7% increase year-on-year. Forestry product exports were estimated at 2.68 billion USD (up 11.9%), while seafood exports reached 1.42 billion USD (up 18.6%). Both sectors not only achieved strong growth but also exceeded the Government’s assigned target of 12%, and outpaced the national average export growth rate of 8.4%, as reported by the National Statistics Office. Over the past week, the newly restructured Ministry of Agriculture and Environment began operating effectively, maintaining growth momentum and setting the stage for further achievements. In total, agro-forestry-fishery export turnover in the first two months of 2025 reached 9.38 billion USD, with a trade surplus of 2.05 billion USD. The Ministry noted that this result significantly contributed to the national trade surplus, which stood at 1.47 billion USD during the same period. Domestic production also yielded positive results. The pig population grew by approximately 3.2%, while poultry increased by 3.4% year-on-year. Aquaculture output reached 692,200 tonnes (up 4.9%), while the output from wild-catch fisheries saw a slight decline to 550,700 tonnes (down 0.5%). Afforestation covered 20,100 hectares (up 6.5%), and timber harvests exceeded 2.6 million cubic metres (up 18.9%).

Revenue from forest environmental services exceeded 682 billion VND (approximately 26.47 million USD), an increase of 11%. In terms of governance, Chief of the Ministry’s Administration Department Le Van Thanh reported that in the first two months of 2025, the Ministry finalised and submitted five draft decrees to the Government as part of its 2023–2025 work programme. Four of these have already been issued, introducing key policies aligned with practical needs in areas such as mineral resource management, environmental protection, and agricultural production. The Ministry also directed localities to concentrate on the cultivation and care of winter–spring rice and vegetable crops. Provinces in the north were advised to complete the harvesting of winter vegetables and ensure sufficient water reserves for spring rice farming. In preparation for the European Commission’s fifth inspection, the Ministry instructed local authorities to develop detailed agendas and scenarios to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Forest fire prevention and control measures were carried out effectively, with timely detection of high-risk areas, particularly in the Southeast, Southwest, Northwest, and Central Highlands. Food safety incidents and alerts concerning export shipments in foreign markets were promptly addressed. Additionally, the Ministry prioritised the expansion of agricultural and food export markets during the early part of the year./.