In July 2025, Vietnamese agricultural exports to the European Union (EU) continue to be a critical component of Vietnam’s trade portfolio, shaped by promising growth opportunities and increasingly stringent regulatory requirements. The EU remains one of Vietnam’s top export markets for agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, fueled by tariff preferences under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and strong consumer demand for high-quality goods.
Vietnam’s agricultural exports to the EU have experienced steady growth under the EVFTA, which came into effect in August 2020. From 2019 to 2024, the sector recorded an impressive 42.95% increase in export turnover, reaching over 5.4 billion USD by 2024. Key export commodities include coffee, cashew nuts, pepper, fruits such as dragon fruit and mango, vegetables, and processed foods. For example, Vietnam has become the second-largest coffee supplier to the EU, while cashew nuts and tropical fruits have also seen significant value growth due to tariff eliminations.
Despite these favorable trade conditions, Vietnamese exporters face mounting challenges as the EU tightens regulations related to food safety, sustainability, and environmental impact. New maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticides have been introduced, banning certain chemicals entirely. Agricultural imports must be accompanied by phytosanitary certificates verifying that products are free from harmful organisms, and additional requirements such as heat treatment for certain fruits are encouraged. Inspection rates of high-risk products, like dragon fruit, durian, and bell peppers, have also increased, resulting in more frequent border checks and occasional shipment delays.
Moreover, the EU has adopted new laws aimed at combating deforestation by banning imports linked to unsustainable practices. This affects products such as coffee, rubber, and palm oil, compelling Vietnamese producers to shift toward greener and more sustainable farming methods to maintain market access.
Vietnamese exporters are responding proactively by upgrading production standards to meet EU certifications such as GlobalGAP, HACCP, and organic labels, and investing in traceability systems and supply chain improvements. However, compliance costs and bureaucratic delays remain concerns, especially for small and medium enterprises with limited resources. Administrative hurdles related to food safety certification procedures have caused some shipment hold-ups, highlighting the need for greater capacity-building and streamlined export processes.
On the market side, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports to the EU saw notable gains in early 2025. Key products such as mangoes, pistachios, pineapples, and coconuts reported strong year-on-year growth ranging from 40% to 200%, with total fruit and vegetable exports reaching around 132 million USD in the first four months alone. The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Germany, and France have been important import destinations within the EU showing double-digit increases in Vietnamese imports.
Looking ahead, sustaining and increasing agricultural export growth to the EU will require the Vietnamese sector to focus on several strategic priorities:
Strengthening adherence to EU standards on pesticide residues, sustainable production, and traceability to avoid product rejections and maintain buyer confidence.
Expanding the scale and sophistication of export supply chains through better cold storage, logistics, and quality control infrastructure.
Enhancing producer-exporter coordination to boost volumes of high-value crops and processed agricultural goods.
Building brands and increasing promotion efforts within the EU market to leverage growing consumer preferences for sustainable and safe products.
Navigating evolving regulations related to environmental sustainability and social responsibility, including compliance with deforestation-related import bans.
Overall, while the EU market presents a promising growth avenue with a demand-driven foundation, it entails rigorous compliance demands that require innovation, investment, and capacity development across Vietnam’s agricultural export system. The EVFTA remains a valuable framework providing tariff advantages and trade facilitation but realizing its full benefits depends on Vietnam’s ability to meet the EU’s high standards amid global market uncertainties.
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