China, Japan and Asia markets continue to support export expansion across key commodities
Vietnam’s agro-forestry-fishery sector recorded export earnings exceeding $23 billion during the first four months of 2026, reflecting resilient trade momentum despite evolving global market conditions and softer export performance in April.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, cumulative agro-forestry-fishery exports from January to April reached approximately $23.04 billion, representing a 5.4 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2025.
Export turnover for April alone was estimated at $6.05 billion, marking a decline of 3.8 per cent from the previous month and 0.8 per cent year-on-year. However, the broader four-month performance underscored the continued resilience of Vietnam’s agricultural export sector amid uneven global demand dynamics. Agricultural products continued to account for the largest share of total exports, generating $12.6 billion during the period, up 1.5 per cent year-on-year.
Fisheries emerged as one of the strongest-performing segments, with exports climbing 11.9 per cent to $3.59 billion, supported by sustained international demand and expanding market opportunities. Forestry product exports reached $5.82 billion, recording a modest increase of 0.8 per cent, while livestock products posted a sharp growth of 45.5 per cent to approximately $245 million.
The ministry also highlighted a significant 66.2 per cent increase in exports of production inputs, reflecting growing demand for raw materials and processing supplies linked to export-oriented manufacturing activity. Regionally, Asia retained its position as Vietnam’s largest agro-forestry-fishery export destination, accounting for 44.1 per cent of total export value and registering robust growth of 11.5 per cent during the period.
Exports to Europe and Oceania also maintained positive momentum, rising 3.7 per cent and 19.8 per cent respectively, indicating strengthening demand across key international markets. In contrast, exports to the Americas declined by 3.5 per cent, while shipments to Africa fell sharply by 26 per cent, highlighting continuing market headwinds and uneven recovery trends across certain regions.
At the country level, China, the United States, and Japan remained Vietnam’s three largest export markets, accounting for 21.1 per cent, 18.5 per cent, and 7 per cent of total export value respectively. China continued to serve as a major growth engine for Vietnam’s agricultural exports, with export value to the market surging 28.8 per cent year-on-year.
Exports to Japan recorded moderate growth of 1.3 per cent, while shipments to the United States declined by 4.8 per cent amid shifting demand patterns and evolving trade conditions. On the import front, Vietnam’s total agro-forestry-fishery imports during the January-April period reached approximately $17.65 billion, reflecting a 12 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
Agricultural imports accounted for the largest share at $11.51 billion, up 16.2 per cent, followed by livestock imports at $1.75 billion, representing growth of 25.3 per cent. Fisheries imports reached $1.05 billion, rising 2.7 per cent, while forestry imports increased 24.1 per cent to approximately $1.15 billion.
Asia and the Americas remained Vietnam’s leading import sources, accounting for 29.8 per cent and 23.7 per cent of total agro-forestry-fishery imports respectively.
The ministry noted that imports from Asia continued to expand during the period, while imports from Europe declined by 4.8 per cent year-on-year. The latest trade figures reflect Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to strengthen agricultural export competitiveness, diversify market access, and reinforce its position as a major global supplier of agro-forestry-fishery products amid an evolving international trade landscape.
