Though they were warned beforehand, farmers are still unable to satisfy requirements, and their produce has been rejected by China.

HCM City will soon be able to order coconuts from Ben Tre and Lo Ren starapples from Tien Giang province.

The EU is strengthening the protection of local farm produce by setting high requirements on food safety and traceability, thus putting pressure on Vietnam’s farm exports.

VietNamNet Bridge - The export turnover of Vietnam’s key export items unexpectedly fell sharply in the first two months of the year. 

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) and retailers have been working together in programs to connect producers and distributors, resulting in more sales of Vietnamese-made products and local specialty food items at supermarket chains.

VietNamNet Bridge - Statistics show satisfactory results for agricultural production in 2018. However, there were ‘dark corners’ that need to be cleared, experts say.

VietNamNet Bridge - Reports show that Vietnam’s farm produce exports have been increasing steadily year after year, but many farmers cannot sell all of their produce.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has several times asked the leaders of the Government, National Assembly and local authorities to help sell Vietnamese farm produce in the world market.

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese businesses face high risks when exporting farm produce to China across border gates via unofficial means. 

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese businesses have found alternative ways to bring their products to the Thai market. 

Vietnam misses many opportunities to export farm produce because of food safety requirements set by import countries.

More farm-produce rescue campaigns will be needed because agricultural production is still fragmented and unplanned, according to Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Vu Dai Thang.

When vegetable and fruit sales are low, ministries, celebrities and organizations often call for help from the community.

VietNamNet Bridge - The high agricultural production growth rate in Q1 2018 has prompted government to set a target of exporting $40 billion worth of farm produce this year. 

Pineapple, watermelon and chili growers are complaining about the hot weather which has forced them to work hard to water crops. Meanwhile, farm produce prices have dropped dramatically.

VietnamNet Bridge - Many foreign conglomerates have jumped into the Vietnamese farm produce market after Vietnam signed a series of FTAs.

VietNamNet Bridge - Chinese traders buy farm produce from Vietnamese businesses, but don’t pay tax. As a result, VASEP has sent a dispatch to the Ministry of Finance, proposing to tax Chinese traders.

VietNamNet Bridge - Because of poor processing technology, Vietnamese have to sell valuable farm produce at rock-bottom prices.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Many Vietnamese producers have expressed concern over the rapid expansion of foreign retailers on the domestic market as their products may be replaced by foreign items at supermarkets with foreign involvement.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Prime Minister has signed a decision giving assignments to eight ministries to help realize this year’s socio-economic targets.