•  Exports to Africa up 69 percent in first six months

Africa was one of the key markets, where Vietnam had maintained a trade surplus, reaching nearly US$1.88 billion in the reviewed period, according to the General Customs Department.

Vietnam’s exports to some markets increased considerably, such as South Africa (by six-fold to US$1.5 billion), and Senegal (by three-fold to US$154 million).

Exports to Egypt and Ghana also saw positive increases, posting 36 percent to US$75 million and 27 percent to US$124 million, respectively.

Rice remained Vietnam’s key export item to the African market, accounting for 25-30 percent of the country’s annual total export rice. Senegal was Vietnam’s largest rice importer on the African continent, spending US$143 million. It was followed by Ivory Coast and Ghana with US$86 million and US$56 million, respectively.

African countries are expected to import about 9.8 million tonnes of rice from Vietnam for the whole year, a year-on-year increase of 2 percent.

In addition to rice, Vietnam’s other export items such as apparel, footwear, seafood, telephone and accessories won firm footholds in the African market.