South Africa's agriculture department has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with Vietnam covering cooperation in crop production, plant protection, animal husbandry, veterinary services, research, technology transfer, and agricultural trade. The agreement was signed by Deputy Minister Nokuzola Capa and Vietnam's Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep ahead of the G20 Leaders' Summit.

The MoU follows Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen's visit to Vietnam during President Cyril Ramaphosa's State Visit. Steenhuisen said the partnership is based on trust and shared objectives. "This agreement strengthens our strategic presence in Asia and supports our mission to broaden market access for South African producers," he said.

Vietnam opened its market to South African oranges in May 2024. In 2024, South Africa exported 53,311 fifteen-kilogram cartons of oranges to Vietnam. In 2025, exports rose to 209,569 cartons. "Our high-quality oranges have found a loyal and growing audience in Vietnam, where consumers recognise the value of South African produce," Steenhuisen said. "This growth is a powerful vote of confidence in our exports. It reinforces South Africa's position as the world's second-largest citrus exporter and highlights the strong appetite in Asia that our farmers are ready to serve," he said.

The ministry aims to expand access to other citrus products, especially mandarins. Vietnam's agricultural import market is valued at more than US$30 billion, while South Africa's current exports of edible fruits and nuts total about US$54 million. The ministry expects the MoU to support market penetration and export growth.

South Africa already exports apples, pears, and grapes to Vietnam, and the cooperation framework is expected to support increased volumes.

Steenhuisen said deeper cooperation with Vietnam supports broader access to Southeast Asia. "Ultimately, strengthening ties with Vietnam supports South Africa's broader objective of deepening access to the Southeast Asian region. As a stable and strategically positioned economy, Vietnam offers a valuable gateway for South African producers seeking to expand in Asia's dynamic markets," he said.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com