Vietnam agri news update - February 2026

Agriculture affirmed as a driver of green growth in 2026

Vietnam has risen to become one of the world's leading countries in food security and agricultural exports. By 2025, total exports of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products are expected to reach US$70.09 billion, with a trade surplus of US$20.7 billion, affirming Vietnam's position on the global trade map. Entering 2026, the entire agriculture and environment sector aims for a GDP growth rate of 3.7%; and total export turnover of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products reaching 73-74 billion USD. Environmental protection, climate change adaptation, and sustainable agricultural development are organically linked and inseparable, serving as both goals and driving forces for green growth.

More information: Agriculture as a driver of green growth in 2026

New Decree 46/2026/NĐ-CP on food safety inspection

Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has urged the government to revise and clarify new food safety inspection rules after their immediate enforcement under Decree 46/2026/NĐ-CP on January 26 caused significant delays in clearing imported agricultural products at border checkpoints. The stricter regime, which replaces the older decree and requires document checks, physical inspections, and laboratory testing before customs clearance, left about 300,000 tonnes of goods - including vegetables, fruits, rice, cassava and processed foods - stranded at land, sea and air gates as of late January. Because most border crossings lack on-site labs and detailed guidance on testing indicators and required documentation, shipments often waited 5 to 7 days for test results, exacerbating congestion during the Lunar New Year peak and raising spoilage risks.

On 5^th February, the government has paused new food safety rules until 15 April 2026. Until then, authorities will revert to previous rules under Decree 15, which has governed food safety procedures since 2018.

More information:

New food safety rules halted as container backlog builds at ports

Ách tắc thực phẩm nhập khẩu: Doanh nghiệp đối mặt thiệt hại lớn - Tuổi Trẻ Online (in Vietnamese)

EU and Viet Nam elevate relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

The European Union and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam announced yesterday the upgrade of their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking a significant milestone in their 35 years of bilateral relations and shared commitment to peace and prosperity. The  upgrade reflects the depth and breadth of cooperation developed over more than three decades. It underlines the importance for the EU and Viet Nam to reinforce cooperation among partners who support the respect for international law, multilateralism, and free and open trade, against the backdrop of an evolving international environment. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will provide a framework for closer cooperation across all these key areas, including trade and investment, sustainable development, climate and energy, digital transformation, security-related issues, and cooperation in multilateral fora.

Official information is available here: Full press release + Join statement. (EEAS Vietnam)

Vietnam to add new free trade zone of up to 5,000 hectares

Cần Thơ City is weighing plans for a sprawling free trade zone of about 2,000–5,000 hectares as it looks to sharpen its edge in regional and global commerce and lure strategic investors with flexible and preferential policies. The proposed Cần Thơ Free Trade Zone could be sited near Cần Thơ Airport or within the Trần Đề Economic Zone, linked to a deep-water port to boost logistics, international trade and modern financial and commercial services. If approved, the zone is expected to emerge as a key transhipment hub for the Mekong Delta, strengthening the city’s role in regional and international trade networks.

More information: Việt Nam to add new free trade zone of up to 5,000 hectares

Vietnam’s coffee export turnover sets new record of 8.6 billion USD

Vietnam’s coffee export revenue set a new record of approximately 8.6 billion USD in 2025, up more than 52% from the previous year. In key coffee-growing regions such as Dak Lak and Lam Dong, which account for over 92% of the country’s total coffee-growing area and 95% of national output, the industry is experiencing a clear shift from raw exports to deep processing, and from supplying raw materials to developing brands and sustainable value chains.

More information: Vietnam’s coffee export turnover sets new record of 8.6 billion USD - Vietnam News Agency (VNA)

All fishing vessels in HCMC entered into national Vnfishbase system

HCMC has registered and fully updated 100% of its fishing vessels on Vietnam’s national fisheries database, Vnfishbase, according to the city’s Department of Agriculture and Environment. The department said the city has completed tasks assigned by the prime minister and the National Steering Committee on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. As of now, 4,299 fishing vessels have been granted or had their fishing licenses renewed, accounting for 96.61% of the total fleet.

More information: All fishing vessels in HCMC entered into national Vnfishbase system - The Saigon Times

Vietnam finalises legal foundation for domestic carbon market

On January 19, the Government issued Decree 29/2026/NĐ-CP, establishing a regulatory architecture for the domestic carbon trading exchange. 

The decree outlines how greenhouse gas emission quotas and carbon credits will be registered, transferred, custodied and traded, marking a key step from planning to implementation under the country's broader climate strategy. 

Under the new framework, companies and other regulated entities will trade both emission quotas and carbon credits through securities accounts at licensed brokerage firms. 

More information at: Việt Nam finalises legal foundation for domestic carbon market