Vietnam and UK Advance Agricultural Market Access and Forest Governance Cooperation
Vietnam and the UK discussed agricultural market access, forest governance and climate cooperation on November 11. The UK said bilateral trade reached $1 billion for the first time in 2025. The two sides discussed technical working groups to address quarantine, food safety and other requirements, and agreed to promote sustainable supply chains.
On November 11, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyễn Quốc Trị met with Baroness Hayman of Ullock, a UK Minister of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The two sides agreed to advance cooperation under the Vietnam–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on trade in agricultural, forestry and aquatic products, nature conservation and climate change.
Baroness Hayman of Ullock said bilateral trade between Vietnam and the UK reached $1 billion for the first time in 2025, supported by the Vietnam–UK Free Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Vietnamese aquatic products exported to the UK were worth about £250 million, coffee more than £200 million and cashews more than £100 million. The first shipment of Vietnamese guavas arrived in the UK in 2026.
The UK asked Vietnam to address some issues concerning quarantine, food safety and market access procedures. Nguyễn Quốc Trị said Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment would assign specialized agencies to review each application with the UK and handle outstanding matters in accordance with regulations. He also called on the UK to resolve similar issues affecting Vietnamese products entering its market. The two sides discussed establishing technical working groups to identify priority products for trade and align requirements for quarantine, testing and quality standards.
On forestry cooperation, the UK is planning a new phase of work with Vietnam to support forest governance, timber legality and traceability, and the development of sustainable supply chains. The two sides also agreed to continue cooperation on forestry finance, climate adaptation, food safety and a just energy transition, with a focus on programs that can be scaled up.
Source: VietVance
