The Vietnamese Embassy in Brazil recently organized a mixed workshop on the potential of the smart agriculture value chain between Vietnam and Brazil, which brought together over 50 participants from government agencies, research institutions, industry associations, and businesses of both countries.
During his introductory address, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil, Bui Van Nghi, emphasized the strong economic growth in Vietnam, predicting that its GDP will exceed 510 billion USD this year and its exports from agriculture, forestry, and fisheries will reach close to 70 billion USD. Previously facing struggles with poverty, Vietnam has now emerged as a leading global exporter of Robusta coffee, rice, pepper, cashew nuts, and aquatic products.
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He mentioned that the progress in agriculture has been propelled by digital innovation such as IoT, drones, smart sensors, and blockchain, resulting in a productivity increase of 20-30 percent and reduced costs.
He explained that the bilateral relationship has evolved into a strategic phase after reaching a Strategic Partnership in November 2024 and implementing a 2025-2030 action plan.
Currently, the two-way trade amounts to approximately 8 billion USD, with a mutual goal of reaching 15 billion USD by 2030. In the face of increasing international challenges such as climate change, limited resources, and stricter regulations on food safety, traceability, and environmentally friendly production methods, the speaker emphasized the importance of implementing smart agriculture and sustainable supply chains as a necessity rather than a choice.
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He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) and partners in Vietnam for the transfer of technology in cold chain management and precision agriculture.
Mirela Janice Eidt, who leads the Office of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), stated that agricultural connections between the two countries have progressed to a more significant level following the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2018. The focus of this agreement is on key sectors like agricultural machinery, forestry, fisheries, and biofuels.
The speaker mentioned that Brazil is dedicated to exchanging top expertise in animal health, specifically in controlling foot-and-mouth disease and promoting sustainable farming. The upcoming assignment of Eidt as Agricultural Counsellor to Viet Nam in February 2026 aims to establish direct communication channels, accelerate collaborative research, and transform innovation commitments into tangible results.
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Ngo Van Thanh, the Project Director at Alpha Capital, discussed strategies to utilize the unique strengths in three main production areas. Brazil will share peach palm heart varieties and cultivation methods with Viet Nam to benefit from its processing and export capabilities. In exchange, Viet Nam, known for its expertise in rice production, will introduce high-yield rice varieties such as purple and milky white rice, along with wet-rice farming techniques, to Brazil's vast farmlands. A major initiative to construct a center for genetic enhancement of Queen Red Ginseng in a South American country, with the use of Vietnamese seeds, is considered a significant advancement for the herbal sector.