Challenges and opportunities of Vietnam's Agriculture sector during the Covid-19 pandemic

For the first 3 months of the year, exports of agricultural, forestry and aquatic products were estimated at $ 5.28 billion, decreased 8.3%, compared with the same period in 2019, specifically, agricultural and forestry products decreased by 4.5%, aquatic products down 11.2%. Export activities to major markets have been sharply reduced due to blockade and restriction policies, leading to the cancellation of export contracts. During the outbreak of Covid-19 in China from early February, Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products were strongly influenced because China is the main export market of agricultural and aquatic products of Vietnam. Currently, although the import and export activities at some Vietnam and China border gates have returned to normal, the customs clearance progress is still slow. Meanwhile, exports to European and US markets were difficult due to the complicated spread of the Covid-19 epidemic in these countries.

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the production, trading and export of Vietnamese agricultural, forestry and aquatic products, but this is also an opportunity for businesses and producers to adapt and find new opportunities. Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam - Deputy Secretary General of Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP)- said that the Covid epidemic 19 brought risks, but also some opportunities. It is expected that after 3 - 5 months, the adjustment of consumer culture will move from buying fresh goods to canned and frozen items. The gap from some of the broken supply of agricultural products in the world is an opportunity for Vietnamese agricultural products to access. In addition, in order to support Vietnamese businesses, Vietnam Trade Office in other countries have also actively connected with industry associations of the host countries and Vietnam, and proposed to the airline's representative office, Vietnam Airlines accompanies to support export businesses, ensuring goods trade, preferential transportation rates lower than market rates.

The Covid 19 pandemic is both a challenge and an opportunity for the agricultural sector to overcome current limitations and find new ways to take advantage of the benefits from the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) which will officially take effect in July 2020.