VOV.VN - A number of export agricultural products are set to continue to maintain their growth momentum ahead in the second half of this year, with fruit and vegetables being the main export items, followed by rice and coffee, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

The decline in exports of forest and fishery products, thanks to making good use of export opportunities to China and other markets, along with the rise of rice and fruit and vegetable exports, will continue over the remaining months of this year, the MARD says.

Rice exports are still growing positively because output in many producing countries throughout Asia is at risk of falling due to the impact of El Nino. This will boost the demand, as well as increasing the price of rice in the international market.

The first half of this year saw the country export 4.27 million tonnes of rice worth US$ 2.3 billion, up 22.2% in volume and 34.7% in value on-year.

The average export price of rice was estimated to be US$539 per tonne, up 10.2% over the same period from last year.

Nguyen Nhu Tiep, head of the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development, said that in order to promote the export of commodities with potential and advantages in terms of market and value, the agricultural sector will focus on deploying trade promotion activities in three major markets, including China, the US, and Japan.

According to Tiep, fruit and vegetable exports will continue to maintain growth if the quality is ensured and growing areas with clear traceability are expanded, while packaging facilities are certified to meet the demand of many markets amid exports of the products continuing to increase sharply.

Regarding rice exports, from now until the end of the year many countries will continue to import rice from the nation. However, coffee exports will decrease in volume amid increasing prices, whilst seafood consumption market may recover but still endure slow recovery, Tiep added.