Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held a seminar on "Commercial agriculture in Vietnam's economic volatility in Vietnam".

Mr. Nguyen Trung Kien, Acting Head of Department Markets and Policy Branch of the Institute of Development and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural (IPSARD) said that the first 8 months of 2015, the picture of Vietnam's export mix colors light and dark.

In bright array of paintings agricultural exports, rose pepper industry in both volume and value, followed by wood and wood products increased by 10.4% over the previous year. Cashew exports increased in both volume and value, in which the US and the EU are the two markets when exporting to the support to China began to decline. Exports increased by 11.2% vegetables but China is still the largest market in the fruit and vegetable export in Vietnam, accounting for 48%, while the US, EU, Japan accounted for less. Cassava exports increased in volume but down prices as oil prices fell.

For gray and dark picture, according to Nguyen Trung Kien, typically decline in rice exports, mainly exported to China. Coffee exports dropped by 14% in volume and 16% in value. Rubber exports increased in volume but decreased value, of which the Chinese market accounted for 49% of exports of Vietnam rubber. Fisheries exports fell 16% in value. Shrimp exports are competitive in price. US, EU, Japan remains the largest market, but China is also becoming an important market of Vietnam.

At the seminar, many experts say, the main problem for the import and export of agricultural, forestry and fisheries in the future, there is decline in price competitiveness with major competitors such as for commodities rice is India, Thailand, Pakistan; coffee are Brazil, Colombia; shrimp are Thailand, India, Indonesia; Indonesia and Malaysia are rubber. Besides, as the decline in world demand for agricultural and forest products due to the economic downturn and oversupply China; intense competition in the domestic market for livestock products; price competitiveness of Vietnam's agricultural products shrinking and no longer able to compete as before.

To solve the problem of agricultural trade, according to Mr Kien, in the short term to take advantage of the US dollar due to high prices there. Paying the markets, boost exports of goods Vietnam has the advantage in this market, such as seafood, coffee, pepper, cashew nuts, timber and wood products. Quick connection with contracts to export rice to Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, because these countries can supply shortage this year. Trade promotion, development of the Chinese market quota for export commodities such as cassava can, vegetables, rubber, cashew, wood and wood products, shrimp .... In the medium and long term: To assist enterprises to diversify export markets. For example, rice is market Ivory Coast, Ghana, USA, Malaysia, UAE. Coffee is South Korea, Ireland, Russia, Australia, Thailand ... Rubber is Irish, Turkey. Fisheries are Australia, China ... Wood and wood products are the United Kingdom, Poland, Thailand, Turkey ... Vegetables are the UK, Germany, UAE ..

According to Dr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan - Director of IPSARD, for the reduced price items such as rice, coffee, shrimp need to consider restoring the competitiveness of Vietnam or looking for new markets. For those potential markets such as the US seeks to shrimp production recovery ... The balance between the industry and the market will help agricultural and forest products exports growth and takeoff.

Dr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan emphasized that agricultural exports are faced with many challenges, however, in the "risk", if subtle, it will be difficult to overcome, and this is an opportunity for agricultural exports development of Vietnam.