Vietnam and Japan Seek Ways to Boost Agricultural Trade

According to the “Connecting Supply Chains to Meet Market Demands” workshop, transport companies face challenges as the value of agricultural exports to Japan accounts for less than 2% of Vietnam’s total export turnover. However, logistics enterprises see this as a significant opportunity to expand freight operations, especially since Japan only meets 45% of its domestic agricultural consumption needs.

Promoting and Connecting Vietnamese Agricultural Products to the Japanese Market

International shipping services between Vietnam and Japan have seen significant growth since 2014, particularly after the CPTPP, VJEPA, and ATIGA agreements came into effect. Nevertheless, forwarding companies need to further enhance overseas shipping activities to fully tap into the Japanese market—a market ten times the size of Vietnam’s. Upgrading sea freight services to meet Japan’s stringent standards is essential.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lê Minh Hoan, emphasized that import-export service providers should focus on product quality and prioritize consumer value. Competitive sea freight rates, combined with technical support from Japan, will enable Vietnamese agricultural products to better access this market. Shipping companies should aim to provide cost-effective yet high-quality services.

There is promising news: new cooperation agreements between organizations from both countries are paving the way for Vietnamese agricultural products to enter major distribution systems in Japan. This development creates more opportunities for container shipping and sea freight services to connect production areas with consumer markets.

To foster cooperation, transport companies must prioritize building a sustainable agricultural ecosystem, ensuring close connections between producers, businesses, and consumers. Enhancing the quality of freight services and investing in modern technology will help Vietnamese enterprises overcome technical barriers and expand their market share in Japan in the near future.