Vietnam – Japan: Strengthening connection between agricultural import and export enterprises

In order to support domestic enterprises in exporting goods abroad, in recent times, the Vietnam Trade Office in Japan has been focusing on promoting connections with importers and distribution chains of the cherry blossom country, especially in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fishery.

In the first 7 months of 2021, the export of agricultural and aquatic products is a bright spot of the Vietnamese economy in the context of complicated epidemic developments. In 7 months, the export of main agricultural products is estimated at over 12.2 billion USD, up over 15%; main forestry products reached about 10.2 billion USD, up 54%; aquatic products reached over 4.9 billion USD, up 12%; livestock is estimated at 254 million USD, up 16%.

In July alone, export turnover is estimated at 4.2 billion USD, up 26.7% compared to July 2020 but down 9.5% compared to June 2021. Of which, the export value of the main agricultural products is estimated at 1.8 billion USD, the main forestry products are estimated at 1.41 billion USD, the aquatic products are estimated at 800 million USD and the livestock products are estimated at 44.1 million USD…

In particular, the Japanese market is a large market for Vietnam’s agricultural, forestry and fishery products. In the first 7 months of the year, agricultural, forestry and fishery exports to this market reached over 1.9 billion USD, accounting for nearly 7%.

Vietnamese lychees are sold at Japanese supermarkets.

The Covid-19 pandemic is causing many negative impacts on business activities, import and export, and direct trade of enterprises with foreign partners. The functional units of the Ministry of Industry and Trade have proactively researched and implemented a variety of methods to connect enterprises to respond to the new situation, such as organizing online working sessions and seminars, building a B2B website to serve trade connections, calling on enterprises to provide information and send samples…

As a bridge and coordinating unit to implement activities in Japan, the Vietnam Trade Office in Japan has implemented support forms to invite businesses wishing to connect with Japanese buyers by sending samples and catalogs to display at the Vietnamese national booth within the framework of the FOODEX 2021 International Food and Beverage Exhibition, displaying samples at the showroom of the Trade Office…

In order to continue promoting the image and brand of Vietnamese goods, and supporting domestic enterprises in exporting goods abroad, in recent times, the Vietnam Trade Office in Japan has been focusing on promoting the connection of Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic product and food export enterprises with Japanese importers and distribution chains.

Vietnam booth at FOODEX 2021 International Food and Beverage Exhibition

Agricultural and aquatic products – food products of Vietnamese origin are popular in Japan to serve the consumption needs of the Vietnamese community living and working in Japan, which is increasing strongly every year (with about 500,000 people in 2021). Along with the innovation in consumer tastes of Japanese people who are increasingly interested in quality products imported from abroad, Vietnamese goods are assessed to have great potential to continue to penetrate and increase market share in the Japanese market.

Quality Vietnamese agricultural, aquatic and food products are increasingly appearing on the shelves of many large supermarket chains in Japan such as AEON, Donkihote, etc.

Although Vietnamese agricultural, aquatic and food products have great potential to be welcomed in Japan, export enterprises also need to pay attention to some market characteristics to export and sell effectively and sustainably.

Japanese consumers are highly sensitive to constant changes in the selling price of a product, so Japanese importers always value the stability of prices and supply from Vietnamese partners. Therefore, Vietnamese enterprises should also focus on investing in research to improve quality and diversify product types and forms to meet the unique tastes of different ages and customer groups.

For example, VINASOY soy milk products or coconut water – processed coconut milk products under the VietCoco brand (imported by KOME Co., Ltd.), through the connection of the Trade Office, are being sold in Japan with many varieties, diverse flavors… and are loved by many consumers.

Along with that, due to the specific nature of Japanese business culture, there will be more trust in partners introduced by reputable third parties, Vietnamese export enterprises should also pay attention to information, register to participate in trade connection programs organized by state agencies (Ministry of Industry and Trade, Provincial People’s Committees…) to have the opportunity to meet, exchange, and cooperate in business with many foreign partners, including Japan.