US State Sets High Agricultural Exports to Vietnam

Companies in the US State of Missouri expect to gain US$2 million from shipping agricultural products to Vietnam in the next few months, according to the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA).

 

The Missouri department announced the state is positioned to take advantage of the growing agricultural export market to Vietnam.

 

Missouri exported nearly US$3.6 million in agricultural products last year, including wood, leather and processed foods, to Vietnam, according to US Department of Commerce figures. The state’s total exports to Vietnam in 2006 totaled nearly US$9.8 million.

 

Trade activities initially begun between Missouri and Vietnam began ten years ago with agricultural goods providing the lion’s share of trade.

 

Tony Stafford, director of the Missouri Department’s Agriculture Business Development Division, stressed that Vietnam’s market is ripe with opportunities for Missouri businesses, particularly when looked at from the context of the country's untapped population and rapidly growing economy.

 

“Vietnam’s growing manufacturing base is an ever-increasing market for products such as Missouri-grown cotton and Missouri hardwood logs and lumber. The manufacturing sector is also creating markets for Missouri-produced food ingredients, livestock feed ingredients and equipment,” he said

 

According to the State Department of Agriculture’s report, exports of US agricultural goods to Vietnam in January doubled from the same period last year. Monthly export figures for the state were not available.

 

In 2006, the US exported a record USUS$287 million worth of agricultural products to Vietnam as compared to USUS$103 million in 2002. (www.infozine.com))