Русский
Russia exported over US$150 million worth of food products to Vietnam in January-May, up 27% compared to the same period of 2024, according to the Russian Agroexport federal centre.
The key commodity in these shipments was pork, with export values amounting to US$107 million—nearly double the figure for January–May 2024. Frozen pork accounted for 77.6% of the total value, offal for 22%, and pork fat for 0.4%.
Agroexport head Ilya Ilyushin said that “Vietnam is a relatively new market for Russian meat suppliers but has already become one of the top three global buyers of Russian pork. In turn, Russia has become one of Vietnam’s key suppliers. These results were achieved thanks to the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), combined with the competitiveness and quality of Russian products.”
In addition, Russia shipped 87,000 tonnes of wheat to Vietnam in 5M, worth US$18 million, another new export market—no wheat exports to Vietnam were recorded a year earlier. Vietnam has been gradually increasing wheat purchases from Russia following the removal of Canada thistle from the list of quarantine items in September 2023. Canada thistle is an aggressive perennial with a vigorous root system that continually produces new shoots, invading new areas, outcompeting other vegetation types, and reducing crop yields.
Baby food ranks among the top three products exported to Vietnam, Agroexport said. Shipments increased 17% to US$6 million over 5M. Russia also supplies Vietnam with frozen crab, poultry meat, sunflower oil, frozen fish, beef, confectionery, and other agricultural products.
Agroexport estimates the potential for Russian food exports to Vietnam by 2030 at over US$600 million. The most promising categories include grains, meat and fish products, vegetable oils and meals, baby food, and confectionery.
One of Russia’s leading food exporters to Vietnam, particularly in baby food, is JSC Progress (the brands Frutonyanya, Malysham, Lipetsky Buvet, and others). The company began exporting to the Vietnamese market over five years ago, with shipments growing an average of 5%-10% annually. Alina Bulanaya, head of export sales (Asia, MENA) at JSC Progress, stated “In 2024, we made significant progress by choosing the right partner and developing a plan to expand both qualitative and quantitative distribution. As a result, compared to 2023, shipments have doubled.”
The Vietnamese market holds clear prospects for Russian agricultural exporters, driven by advantages such as the free trade agreement, low tariff barriers, and strong consumer loyalty to Russian products, she said.
Victoria Gorshkova, of the Russian Agriculture Ministry in Vietnam said that in 2024, agricultural trade between Russia and Vietnam grew nearly 40%, exceeding US$1 billion. Total bilateral trade last year reached US$6 billion, an increase of 20% on 2023.
Further Reading
The Promising Future for Grain Exports from Russia to Vietnam
