Russia’s Uralchem Targets Vietnamese Agricultural Sector

Russia’s Uralchem Group, a leading global producer of mineral fertilizers and chemical products, has been engaging in sales and marketing events in Vietnam, specifically presenting its agricultural solutions in Can Tho province, located in the heart of the Mekong Delta. The event was attended by approximately senior Vietnamese CEOs from retailers and fertilizer distribution outlets from the country’s biggest agricultural region.

They were introduced to tailored comprehensive nutrition systems along with two key products: the complex fertilizer Uralchem NPK 16-16-16 and the granular potash product Uralchem gMOP. These solutions will help local farmers improve the yield and quality of rice and tropical crops. The Mekong Delta is a key agricultural region of Vietnam, producing 50% of the country’s rice and 70% of its fruit.

The region has also become a global durian hub: exports of the fruit reached US$3.3 billion in 2024, representing an almost 8-fold increase in just two years. Durian is relatively unknown in Russia but is considered the ‘King of Fruits’ throughout Southeast Asia, known for its distinctive (and not always appreciated) general aroma but exquisite taste from the fruit membranes wrapped around its internal seeds. It is consumed raw but also processed into a variety of desserts and ice creams. Durian availability in Asia is uneven, with Malaysians consuming 11 kg per capita per annum and Thailand just 1.5 kg. China is the prize market, with domestic consumers now getting through 95% of global durian consumption and the fruit only available from its southern regions. Vietnam is an obvious key supplier.

Vietnam’s market for complex NPK fertilizers reached approximately 3.8 million tonnes in 2025 to become the second-largest market in Southeast Asia. Traditionally, Russia is a key supplier of NPK fertilizers to Vietnam, accounting for about 40% of total imports. Uralchem Group aims to further develop its supply in this promising segment and strengthen its brand position.

Olga Poltavskaya, Uralchem’s Marketing Director, stated that “Vietnam is a highly competitive market featuring dozens of local and international fertilizer producers. It is therefore particularly important that our products have been well-received by farmers and retail partners from the very start. We see tremendous prospects in this region and intend to expand the product range to better suit local conditions, introduce advanced nutrition systems, and develop a premium portfolio for Vietnam’s export-oriented crops like durian, mango, and citrus fruits.”

Konstantin Sharipov, Uralchem’s Distribution Development Director, added, “Vietnam is one of the most dynamic agricultural markets in the world. Farmers in the Mekong Delta grow crops that are later supplied to dozens of countries. Our fertilizers—Uralchem NPK 16-16-16 and Uralchem gMOP—will help them increase both yields and quality of their produce. This is our first step towards a long-term partnership with Vietnamese farmers.” fertilizers—Uralchem

Russia has a free trade agreement with Vietnam via the Eurasian Economic Union. Uralchem’s Vietnam opportunity is illustrative of how both countries are starting to better appreciate their respective strengths and supply chain trade development trends. Although Russian fertilizers will be exported to Vietnam, the end result will be significant export volumes of produce to other Asian countries. Vietnam is a member of the ASEAN trade bloc, which has free trade between its members (also including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand), while the ASEAN bloc also has free trade agreements with China and India.