On July 7, Minister Do Duc Duy met with Italian Ambassador Marco Della Seta to boost Vietnam–Italy agricultural cooperation

A strong foundation and new opportunities for growth

During the meeting, Minister Do Duc Duy reaffirmed that Italy is currently Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner in the European Union, while Vietnam is Italy’s largest trading partner in ASEAN. In 2024, bilateral trade approached USD 7 billion—an increase of 13.1% over the previous year—reflecting the strategic direction set by the two countries’ senior leadership since 2023.

In the agriculture sector alone, bilateral agricultural trade reached approximately EUR 620 million. Vietnam’s key exports to Italy include coffee, cashew nuts, rice, seafood, and fresh fruit, while Italian exports to Vietnam focus on strategic products such as wine, pasta, cheese, and olive oil—all of which hold strong potential in the Vietnamese market.

Minister Do Duc Duy emphasized that Vietnam is not only focused on serving domestic consumption but is also committed to contributing to global food security through high-quality agricultural, forestry, and fishery products. He expressed appreciation for Italy’s role in supporting Vietnam’s transition toward a more transparent, responsible, and sustainable food system.

He also underscored Italy’s strategic global position as host to key international organizations—including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)—and as co-host of the upcoming United Nations Food Systems Summit +4 (UNFSS+4). In this context, the Minister noted that closer bilateral cooperation would help shape progressive agricultural policies at the global level.

Resolving technical barriers and expanding market access

A central focus of the discussion was expediting Vietnam’s market access procedures for four key Italian agricultural products: fresh apples, kiwifruit, beef, and egg-based products. Although negotiations have been ongoing for years, several technical barriers remain—particularly regarding quarantine procedures and pest risk assessments.

Minister Do Duc Duy urged Ambassador Della Seta to support Vietnam’s efforts to remove the EC’s IUU “yellow card” on fisheries

For beef and egg products, a representative from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine noted that since January 2022, Vietnam has repeatedly requested Italy to provide complete pest risk assessments and disease surveillance data. However, the necessary documentation has not yet been submitted.

Regarding apples, while Vietnam approved imports in 2019, the two sides have yet to agree on post-harvest cold treatment protocols. Vietnam requires storage at 1°C for 80 days to ensure pest control, while Italy has proposed 2°C for 35 days. To bridge the gap, Vietnam suggested a compromise that maintains a lower temperature but shortens the storage duration.

As for kiwifruit, negotiations began as early as 2013, but progress has stalled due to the absence of internationally standardized pest risk assessments based on sampling size and methodology.

To address these issues, Minister Do Duc Duy proposed that the Agricultural Attaché of the Italian Embassy work directly with Vietnam’s technical departments—including the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, and the Plant Production and Protection Department —to quickly reach consensus on relevant technical standards. He expressed hope that at least one product could gain market access before September 2025, in time for upcoming high-level exchanges between the two countries.

Additionally, the Minister called on Ambassador Della Seta to play an active role in supporting Vietnam within the European Commission, particularly in the ongoing process to lift the IUU “yellow card” imposed on Vietnam’s fisheries sector—one of the country’s top priorities for sustainable development and international integration.

Toward a long-term strategic partnership

Ambassador Marco Della Seta spoke highly of Vietnam’s dynamic agricultural sector and the quality of its export products. He affirmed that Italy shares Vietnam’s vision for sustainable agriculture, diversified supply chains, and expanded export markets.
The Ambassador welcomed Vietnam’s commitment to removing existing technical barriers and emphasized that close coordination between the two countries’ technical agencies would be key to enhancing bilateral agricultural trade.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides expressed confidence in the growing potential for deeper cooperation in agriculture and environmental management. Their frank, constructive, and forward-looking dialogue laid a solid foundation for implementing joint strategic initiatives aimed at harmonizing economic growth with environmental protection.

Minh Thao