However, the export of major export items such as rice, coffee, tea and cassava decreased in both volume and value.

Seafood exports made up one fourth of the agricultural sector's total value

The export value of key farm products was estimated at US$12.05 billion, down 11.3%, whereas seafood and forest product exports rose 9.1% and 24.4% to US$6.11 billion and US$5.12 billion respectively.

The biggest fall was seen in coffee exports, with 1.18 million tonnes shipped abroad for US$2.51 billion, down 24.4% in volume and 24.8% in value.

 Germany and the US were Vietnam’s largest coffee consumers, correspondingly making up 13% and 10.8% of the country’s total export volume.

Rice exports also declined 16.1% in volume and 18.8% in value to 6.29 million tonnes and US$2.78 billion.

On the contrary, cashew nut, pepper, and wood processors maintained steady export growth in the past 11 months.

Cashew nut businesses exported 238,000 tonnes for US$1.49 billion, up 17% in volume and 10.1% in value.

Seafood exports secured an impressive growth rate of 9.1% to hit US$6.11 billion in value.

The US was the largest importer of Vietnamese seafood, accounting for 22% of the country’s total value. It was closely followed by China, Canada and Thailand, gaining growth of 58.6%, 28.2% and 8.3% respectively over the past year.