Hanoi (VNA) – The agro-forestry-fisherysector has made new export records in 2022 thanks to the diversification of marketsand products.

The sector’s export turnover is expected to top 53 billion USD in the year with a trade surplus of 7.8 billion USD, upnearly 48% year-on-year, statistics show.

Notably, fishery exports would reel in nearly 11billion USD, a 20-year high since Vietnam joined the international market.Records have been seen in shrimp, tra fish (pangasius) and tuna exports, with4.3 billion USD, 2.4 billion USD and 1 billion USD in revenues, respectively.

Given the 40-year high inflation and currencyfluctuations in many markets and surging prices due to the Russia-Ukraineconflict, which have forced importers to consider reducing orders, Vietnamesebusinesses have flexibly diversified markets and products, according to Directorof the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP)’s TradePromotion and Training Centre Le Hang.

She held that free trade agreements (FTAs),especially the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-PacificPartnership (CPTPP), have significantly benefited the domestic fishery industry,explaining that exports to the CPTPP markets expanded by 30% to make up 26-27%of the country’s total fishery export value.

Trade promotion activities both at home and abroadhave also played a role in the hikes, Hang added.

In the year, rice export is also expected to hit arecord of 7 million tonnes, said Do Ha Nam, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam FoodAssociation, noting that rice contracts would be maintained in early 2023thanks to high prices.

Deputy Director of the Vietnam Academy of AgriculturalSciences Dao The Anh attributed the outstanding results to agriculturalrestructuring, which has created a firm foundation for the sector to moveahead.

Many Vietnamese agricultural products have gainedaccess to new markets, for example durian, sweet potato and bird's nests winning permit to ship to China, pomelo to the US, longan to Japan, and lemon and pomelo to New Zealand.

The sector will make greater efforts to reach more markets with diverse products, but the achievements in market openingshould be maintained, said Hoang Trung, Director of the Plant ProtectionDepartment under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Hang also suggested that the State should issuespecific policies on market, tax and capital to better access foreign marketsin the time ahead.

For his part, Anh stressed the need to continuediversifying markets, including China, and satisfy their requirements in foodsafety and packaging, expressing his belief that ample room will remain forVietnam’s agro exports next year./.