Overview of Vietnam’s main export items

Vietnam is affirming its position as an agricultural export powerhouse. With clean production and advanced processing, the country’s key export products have made a strong impression in major markets such as Japan, the EU, the United States, and China. In this article, Viot Minh Trang provides an overview of the leading export sectors, with a focus on clean agricultural products, supported by impressive data from 2024 and early 2025.

The role of exports in Vietnam’s economy

Exports serve as a crucial driver of Vietnam’s economic growth, bringing in essential foreign currency, boosting GDP, and creating jobs. In particular, the export of clean agricultural products not only increases economic value but also enhances the reputation and standing of Vietnamese produce on the global market by meeting high standards of quality and safety.

Foreign currency earnings from exports help stabilize the balance of payments and foreign reserves, enabling the import of vital technology and equipment for industrialization. Exports stimulate production, increase capacity, and expand various economic sectors—especially agriculture, which plays a significant role. This sector also generates numerous jobs, particularly in rural areas.

Participation in international trade allows Vietnamese businesses to access best practices, new technologies, and improve their competitiveness, while also strengthening international economic relations. The export of high-quality, clean agricultural products opens doors to premium markets, brings higher added value, and helps build a reputable and sustainable global brand for Vietnamese agriculture.

The role of exports in the economy

Vietnam’s Key Export Products (2024–2025 Figures)

The year 2024 witnessed remarkable growth in Vietnam’s export of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, reaching an impressive total export value of USD 62.4 billion—an 18% increase compared to 2023. Notably, the clean agricultural product sector made a significant contribution, generating USD 32.8 billion in export revenue, with a growth rate of 22.4%—the highest in the past five years.

Some of Vietnam’s leading export products in the clean agricultural sector that significantly contributed to this figure include:

• Clean Rice: Exports reached 9.18 million tons, bringing in USD 5.75 billion—an increase of 23% in volume and 22.4% in value. Vietnamese clean rice is increasingly favored in many markets thanks to improved quality and sustainable production processes.
• Certified/Sustainable Coffee: Although overall coffee production dropped by 18.8%, the growing demand for certified coffee and favorable export prices helped maintain export revenue at USD 5.48 billion. Certifications such as UTZ and Rainforest Alliance are gaining more attention.
• Clean Fruits and Vegetables (VietGAP, GlobalGAP): Export value reached USD 7.12 billion, up 27.1%, with strong growth in fruits like durian, banana, passion fruit, and herbs grown under clean production standards.
• Organic/Clean Cashews: Exports hit USD 4.48 billion, a 20.2% increase, reflecting rising interest in organically and sustainably farmed cashew products.
• Sustainable Rubber: While not highlighted for dramatic growth, sustainably certified rubber remains an important agricultural export product for Vietnam.
• Clean Pepper: Maintains stable growth, with many growing regions adopting clean production practices.
• Organic/VietGAP Tea: A traditional export product, now evolving with a focus on organic production and VietGAP certification to meet market demands.

Clean Agricultural Exports in Early 2025: Continued Growth Momentum

• In Q1 2025, Vietnam’s export of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products reached USD 15.72 billion, marking a 13.1% increase compared to the same period in 2024. By the end of April 2025, the figure had reached USD 21.15 billion, indicating the sector’s continued stability and development.
• Key highlights from the early months of 2025 include:
• Clean Rice: Exports totaled 2.2 million tons, equivalent to USD 1.14 billion. Although the value dropped slightly by 19.7% year-over-year, demand for high-quality rice remained stable.
• Sustainable Coffee: In January 2025 alone, exports reached USD 728 million, a modest increase of 0.3%, showing the continued stability of the certified coffee market.
• Clean Pepper: January 2025 exports reached USD 87 million, a 25.1% increase, reaffirming Vietnam’s strong position in the global pepper market.
• Clean Fruits and Vegetables: Despite a year-over-year decrease of 11.3%, demand from major markets for Vietnam’s clean fruits and vegetables remained steady.

Agricultural exports in early 2025

Key Export Markets for Clean Agricultural Products

Vietnam has built strong trade relationships with many major global markets, especially for clean agricultural products:

• China: The leading importer of many of Vietnam’s clean agricultural products, including fruits and vegetables (especially durian), rubber, and rice.
• United States: A key market for organic cashews, certified coffee, tropical fruits that meet export standards, and clean seafood.
• Japan and the EU: These are highly demanding markets in terms of quality, safety, and clean production certifications (such as GlobalGAP and organic). Vietnam is increasingly meeting these standards, opening major opportunities for clean agricultural exports.
• South Korea: A promising market for fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, especially those meeting VietGAP standards.

Agricultural exports in early 2025

Emerging Trends and Future Potential in Clean Agricultural Exports

Vietnam’s clean agricultural export sector is facing new opportunities and challenges. Key emerging trends include:

• Growing demand for organic and sustainable products: Global consumers are increasingly drawn to eco-friendly, health-conscious, and organic production methods.
• Greater focus on traceability and food safety: Importing markets are tightening requirements on origin and production transparency, demanding clear certifications and traceable processes.
• Expansion of e-commerce and online sales channels: These create opportunities to reach international consumers directly and build brand recognition.
• Adoption of high technology in production and processing: Enhances productivity, quality, and cost-efficiency while better meeting international standards.
• Product and market diversification: Reduces dependence on a few products or markets, boosting resilience and competitiveness.

Emerging clean agricultural exports and future potential

Are you looking for a reliable clean agricultural product export partner from Vietnam?

Viot Minh Trang stands as a prime example of the transformation and development of Vietnam’s clean agricultural export sector. With a focus on clean, transparent, and sustainable production, Viot Minh Trang manages over 3,000 hectares of raw material zones across provinces like Nghệ An, Thanh Hóa, Hòa Bình, Sơn La, Đắk Lắk, and Hanoi—specializing in high-quality agricultural products.

Equipped with processing plants certified to international standards such as ISO 22000, HACCP, GMP, and Halal, Viot Minh Trang offers a diverse range of products: fresh, frozen, dried, ground, and OEM/ODM packaged to meet every partner’s needs.

Conclude

This article provides an overview of Vietnam’s key export products, particularly in the clean agricultural sector, highlighting impressive data from 2024 and early 2025. Clean agriculture is playing an increasingly vital role, not only generating high economic value but also enhancing Vietnam’s credibility and standing in the global trade arena. With a strong focus on quality, sustainability, and technology adoption, the potential for these leading export products is immense, promising continued contributions to the nation’s economic growth in the future.