Co-hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK, the event showcased Vietnam's key agricultural export sectors and explored opportunities to boost distribution of Vietnamese products in UK supermarket chains.

Participants discussed import-export regulations and consumer preferences in both markets, and proposed ways to improve market access and cooperation in agricultural trade.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam emphasized the UK’s strong potential as an export market, underscoring the need for regular connectivity between businesses and industry associations. He proposed forming business groups along the supply chain, enhancing trade promotion, and complying with both sides' regulatory standards.

Phuong Hoang, Chairman of the Vietnamese Business Association in the UK, noted increasing UK interest in sourcing sustainable, high-quality agricultural products. He said Vietnam is well-positioned to meet this demand, particularly in fruit and vegetables, seafood, and processed foods.

Paul Rooke, Executive Director of the British Coffee Association, praised the quality of Vietnamese coffee, especially robusta. He stressed the importance of fully understanding UK import requirements, including environmental standards and fair trade practices.

Thai Tran, CEO of TT Meridian Ltd, highlighted that Vietnamese fruits such as pomelos, coconuts, dragon fruit, and passion fruit are now found in high-end UK supermarket chains like Waitrose, M&S, and Tesco. He credited the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) for giving Vietnamese products a competitive edge but warned that these advantages may shrink as the UK signs new trade deals.

To remain competitive, he urged Vietnamese exporters to invest in quality control, adopt modern technology, and implement cost-effective production while ensuring sustainability and corporate responsibility. He also recommended organizing nationwide Vietnam Goods Weeks across UK cities to raise product visibility.

The UK is seen as a major potential market, with annual agricultural and food imports worth US$67 billion. In 2024, Vietnam exported nearly US$883 million worth of agricultural products to the UK, up 15.4% from the previous year.

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