The workshop drew valuable feedback
 and ideas to remove the logistics challenges facing the Mekong Delta s agricultural sector
At the âLogistics leverage for the Mekong Delta agri-productsâ workshop held last week in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang, local officials, businesses and experts have shared their thoughts about removing logistics barriers to improve the Mekong Deltaâs agri-product exports.
The Mekong Delta is a key economic region, accounting for around 90 per cent of the countryâs rice exports, 65 per cent of the countryâs seafood production as well as 70 per cent of the countryâs fruit exports. The Mekong Delta exports tens of millions of tonnes of goods each year. However, there is a lack of seaports in the region, especially deep-water ports that can handle export containers. This, coupled with overloaded ports in Ho Chi Minh City, leads to increased service fees, storage fees, and waiting times.
Leverage for Vietnam agricultural products to take off
March 16, 2021 | 09:00 am GMT+7
International integration offers Vietnam agri-products opportunities to scale the value chain, though with strict requirements.
Vietnam typically exports eight types of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products with an annual turnover of over $1 billion, many of which have achieved high positions in the global market.
However, experts say Vietnam s agricultural sector has yet to develop modern production methods due to its small scale and lack of technological applications. As a result, agricultural production has low productivity, competitiveness, and added value.
To optimize the stages of the agri-product value chain, one solution is to remove bottlenecks in production and preservation. Also, food loss needs to be reduced, transportation costs optimized, and stable output markets found for agri-products.
The Mekong Deltaâs agri-products enjoy significant opportunities as Vietnam integrates deeply into the international arena
Prof. Dr. Vo Tong Xuan said that Vietnam has exported eight types of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products with an annual turnover of over $1 billion many of which have achieved high positions in the global market. However, Vietnam s agricultural sector has yet to develop modern production methods due to its small scale and lack of technology applications. As a result, agricultural production has low productivity, competitiveness, and added value.
He added that it is necessary to optimise the stages in the agri-product value chain by removing bottlenecks in production and preservation. Also, food loss needs to be reduced, transportation costs optimised, and stable output markets found for agri-products.