Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development isworking to promote the distribution of farm products amid the fourth outbreakof COVID-19 in Vietnam as well as establish a resilient agriculture sector.

The ministry’s Department of Agro Processing and Market Development Authoritysaid the circulation of agricultural products remained stable in recent daysamid the fourth wave of the virus in the country.

According to the Dong Dang Border Economic Zone’s management board in northern LangSon province, there was some congestion of containers carrying agriculturalproducts to China at Huu Nghi Border Gate after the Reunification Day (April30) and International Labour Day (May 1) holidays. However, the congestion wastackled in good time and customs clearance had returned to normal. There was nosignificant congestion at other border gates like Mong Cai.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said theministry had called for virus prevention measures to be tightened, especiallyat agricultural product processing plants to prevent any disruptions to supplychains.

Tien said the COVID-19 pandemic was opening significant opportunities for Vietnamto expand exports of agro products, given the severe shortage of supply in theglobal market as well as disruptions occurring to global supply chains.

It was essential for Vietnam to contain the virus, promote bio-safety inagricultural production, expand production to increase output and productivityas well as maintain stable supply chains, Tien said.

For products the world market has a high demand for, such as shrimp, theministry asked for production to be increased but at the same time quality tobe ensured to catch the opportunity to expand exports.

He said with an ecosystem of 13,500 enterprises, 17,000 co-operatives, 34,400farms and 13.8 million farmer households, the agriculture sector achievedsignificant results in the first four months of this year. Exports increased by24.2 percent to reach 32.07 billion USD. The sector ran a trade surplus of 2.2billion USD in the period.

Still, there were difficulties and challenges, especially with the COVID-19pandemic still complex, he said.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development would continue to cooperatewith other ministries and localities to implement measures with the focus on promotingproduction and distribution while ensuring virus prevention.

A close watch would be kept on market developments to prevent any problems withthe circulation of agricultural products as well as timely updating farmers andproducers on market demand for them to be active in production plans.

Processing must also be enhanced to increase added value for agro products, theministry said. Any trade fraud or price squeezing would be strictly handled.

In the previous virus outbreak which severely hit the northern province of HaiDuong, farmers faced a lot of difficulties in selling their products in theharvest season. Prices of many types of vegetables and fruits dropped sharply./.