Can Tho: Increasing the value of agricultural products for sustainable export

Cần Thơ: Nâng cao giá trị hàng nông sản phục vụ xuất khẩu bền vững- Ảnh 1. — Speakers and managers discuss at the Workshop - Photo: VGP/LS

By 2025, Vietnam has participated in and implemented about 15 FTAs, creating a free trade network with more than 60 economies worldwide. Of which, the 3 new generation FTAs with the greatest impact on the agricultural sector are: Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans -Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP). The new generation FTAs are not only related to tariff reduction but also make extensive commitments to non-trade issues such as: sanitary and phytosanitary, technical barriers, intellectual property, labor, and environment.

In recent times, Can Tho City has affirmed its role as the country's rice and seafood export center, initially forming concentrated production areas applying high technology. The city has many large, dynamic enterprises in the field of export processing. However, the city's agricultural exports are still limited due to small-scale, fragmented production, and the link between enterprises and farmers is not really sustainable. Despite achieving important achievements, Can Tho City is still behind some provinces in the Mekong Delta region in terms of export turnover, showing that the city still has a lot of room for development.

According to experts, with the new generation of FTAs, the city’s agricultural products will enjoy preferential tariffs and the city will have the opportunity to attract investment in deep processing, high technology, and enhance brands through geographical indications. However, the agricultural sector must also compete with products from countries outside the bloc and FTA member countries.

At the same time, it is necessary to restructure the supply chain, meet the rules of origin to enjoy tariff preferences. It is necessary to comply with regulations to overcome technical barriers, comply with commitments on green production, emission reduction, labor standards, etc.

Experts say that to take advantage of opportunities from new generation FTAs to promote sustainable export growth of key agricultural products, Can Tho City needs to focus on reorganizing production, restructuring the agricultural sector in depth, investing heavily in science and technology, deep processing and logistics infrastructure to increase added value, meeting international standards. It is necessary to build a brand for Can Tho agricultural products associated with quality to conquer demanding markets and develop sustainably.

According to Dr. Pham Sy An (Vietnam and World Economic Institute), the new generation of Free Trade Agreements is creating a comprehensive screening and reshaping of Can Tho's agricultural sector. This is not only an opportunity to increase export turnover, but also a harsh test of competitiveness, adaptability and vision for sustainable development.

Because the impact of FTAs is a double-edged sword: it will be a strong lever for those who proactively change, upgrade the value chain and comply with international standards. At the same time, it will also be a pressure to eliminate those who still maintain the old, fragmented and unconnected production mindset.

"In order for Can Tho City to truly take advantage of the 'golden opportunity' from integration and turn challenges into motivation, the City needs a comprehensive strategy, focusing on restructuring the agricultural sector in depth, investing in technology and building agricultural product brands associated with quality and sustainable development," Dr. An recommended.

According to Mr. Huynh Thanh Su, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, in 2024, Can Tho City's (new) export will be nearly 5 billion USD, with agricultural products accounting for nearly 70% (mainly seafood and rice). It is expected that Can Tho's export in 2025 will be about 5.4 billion USD, of which agricultural products will remain the city's mainstay.

Le Son

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/can-tho-nang-cao-gia-tri-hang-nong-san-phuc-vu-xuat-khau-ben-vung-102250822172815159.htm