According to data from General Department of Customs, in 2023, Vietnam's exports to China reached 61.2 billion USD, an increase of 6.4% compared to 2022. Of these, there are 12 groups of goods exported to this market, achieving turnover of more 1 billion USD or more. Export growth in Chinese market is a bright spot in the country's exports in context of exports to most major markets decreasing.
Imports of goods from China reached 110.64 billion USD, down more than 7.3 billion USD compared to 2022. There were 17 groups of goods imported from China with a turnover of more 1 billion USD.
With a total import-export turnover of 171.84 billion USD achieving in 2023, China continues to be Vietnam's largest trading partner, accounting for more than 25% of the country's total import-export turnover.
With agricultural, forestry and fishery products group, according to a report from Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in 2023, China, the US, Japan, EU and ASEAN will continue to remain the 5 largest export markets for Vietnamese agriculture products.
However, last year, except for Chinese market, which recorded positive growth, Vietnam's agricultural exports to key markets all had negative growth.
Specifically, agricultural export turnover to Chinese market increased by 17% compared to 2022 and accounts for 23% of the total export value of our country's entire agricultural sector in 2023.
Accordingly, China officially surpassed the US to become the largest customer of Vietnamese agricultural, forestry and fishery products. In 2023, China spent 12.2 billion USD to import agricultural, forestry and fishery products from Vietnam.
Large room for export of agricultural, forestry and fishery products
According to a report by Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), in 2023, China were Vietnam's largest rubber export market, accounting for 79.63% in volume and 78.52% in value of the total. The country's rubber exports reached 1.7 million tons, worth 2.27 billion USD, up 6.6% in volume but down 4.8% in value compared to 2022.
In structure of the fruit and vegetable export market, China is always Vietnam's largest fruit and vegetable import market, with a proportion accounting for 65% of total export value. Export of fruits and vegetables to the Chinese market recorded a high growth rate thanks to protocols signed with China in 2022. Therefore, export value of fruits and vegetables to the Chinese market in 2023 reached 3.6 billion USD, an increase of 138.7% compared to 2022.
In 2023, China continued to be Vietnam's largest consumer market for cassava and cassava products, accounting for 91.52% in volume and 90.99% in value of the country's total exports, reaching 2.7 million tons, worth 1.18 billion USD, down 9.3% in volume and down 7.7% in value compared to 2022. Average export price of cassava and cassava products of Vietnam to China in 2023 at 438.9 USD/ton, up 1.7% compared to 2022.
Mr. Phung Duc Tien - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development - said that China - a market of 1.4 billion people, with signed protocols, along with commercial infrastructure to help exchange trade more convenient; reduction of administrative procedures in animal and plant quarantine; many agricultural products are about to sign the protocol. Vietnam will have certain advantages in exporting agricultural, forestry and fishery products to this market in the near future.
“China is a huge market for many high-quality agricultural, forestry and fishery products from Vietnam. However, to take advantage of opportunity to accelerate agricultural exports to China, it is necessary to prove to this country's consumers outstanding quality of Vietnamese agricultural products, along with reliability of trade", Mr. Phung Duc Tien said.
Mr. To Ngoc Son - Deputy Director of Asia-Africa Market Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) - commented that China is an important export market for some Vietnamese agricultural products. However, China is currently adjusting its import policies. Accordingly, along with improving legal system, China is currently tightening management of imported agricultural, forestry and fishery products. Accordingly, import is only allowed at certain border gates; at the same time, require registration of import enterprises; strengthen traceability; sets new requirements on labels.
This market also strengthens enforcement of laws on importing goods; accordingly, China has a policy of bringing trade activities into regularity and order. At the same time, strengthen supervision and strictly implement regulations.
Also according to Mr. To Ngoc Son, China is a market with high and strict standards. This market is reducing its level of dependence, moving to stop form of informal export and is moving quickly and strongly to a form of formal trade; Update new market trends; and aim to produce high quality items; increase access to the region. Taking advantage of the exchange of border residents for large trade leads to risks such as goods congestion at peak times.
Currently, Ministry of Industry and Trade is collecting public opinions on Decree amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No.14/2018/ND-CP dated January 23, 2018 of the Government detailing border trade activities. Conversion of small-scale trading activities to official channels also aims to bring exchange of border residents to its true nature.
To promote export of goods in general and agricultural, forestry and fishery products in particular to the Chinese market, Mr. To Ngoc Son also recommended that businesses should focus on building brands and protecting brands; Research and comply with regulations on quality standards, testing, quarantine, packaging and traceability of Chinese market; Carefully research needs and development trends of the market. At the same time, taking advantage of the Vietnam - China intermodal railway transport route; Build a team of staff who are fluent in market and language; exploit market through e-commerce.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn