The representative of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture was accompanied by the Chief Veterinary Officer Krzysztof Jażdżewski and Deputy Director General of the National Support Centre for Agriculture (KOWR) Tomasz Ciodyk.

Third meeting of the Polish-Vietnamese working group on cooperation in the field of agriculture

Secretary of State Jacek Czerniak stressed that agricultural issues were an important element of nearly 75 years of relations between Poland and Vietnam.

– I believe that together we will be able to work out measures for the sustainable development of bilateral trade in agri-food products and the reduction in the deficit on the part of Poland – said the Secretary of State.

The parties confirmed the agreement on the final phytosanitary requirements for highbush blueberry exported from Poland to Vietnam. This means that the access procedure has been completed and the first shipments of blueberries from Poland may appear in Vietnam starting from the 2025 production season.

Referring to veterinary issues, the Vietnamese party confirmed the application of the pre-listing principle for the approval of Polish meat and fish establishments for export to the Vietnamese market, pursuant to Article 6.8 of the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

– This is a significant step that will streamline administrative procedures for trade in commodities of animal origin – said the Secretary of State Jacek Czerniak.

At the meeting of the working group, both parties acknowledged the need to develop solutions eliminating barriers to trade in animal products. The Chief Veterinary Officer Krzysztof Jażdżewski pointed out that the data of establishments approved for export from Poland by the Vietnamese party were regularly updated. He stressed that this was a guarantee of harmonious trade. Upon request of the Polish party, this task will be carried out by contact points established by veterinary services of both countries. Also, the intensification of the dialogue at the working level has been established.

– We will also continue talks on the conditions for shipping new commodities from Poland, inter alia, processed animal protein, feathers, pet food and live ornamental birds – said the representative of the Polish delegation.

An important element of the talks were measures for the sustainable growth of trade in agri-food products. The parties exchanged information on the planned fair events organised in Poland and Vietnam in 2025.

Secretary of State Jacek Czerniak stressed that the priority for the Polish party was to eliminate the trade deficit and enhance the recognisability of Polish products in the Vietnamese market.

Meeting at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Hanoi

The Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences was established in 2005 and is supervised by the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

During the visit, Secretary of State Jacek Czerniak met with the director of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Son. Deputy Minister Jacek Czerniak stressed the importance of implementing modern technologies in agriculture, in the context of progressing climate change and other challenges facing the agricultural sector. He also presented information about scientific institutes supervised by the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and highlighted their great scientific potential.

The Vietnamese party presented the scope of activities of the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS). It includes studies on improving yields and increasing the resistance of individual plant species to adverse climatic conditions. The VAAS is also responsible for training Vietnamese experts in the field of agriculture.

Meeting with the President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)

– Vietnam is an important trading partner for Poland. I am convinced that the findings of the Polish-Vietnamese working group will contribute to developing mutual trade in agri-food goods – emphasised Deputy Minister Czerniak.

The chairman of the Polish delegation proposed to conclude a cooperation agreement between the National Support Centre for Agriculture and the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

– I would like the signing of the document to be an impulse to strengthen relations between Polish and Vietnamese entrepreneurs in the food industry – said the Secretary of State.

The Deputy Director General of KOWR Tomasz Ciodyk presented the activities of the Centre and confirmed the readiness to continue the talks with the VCCI on the details of further cooperation and agreement.

The Vice-President of VCCI Nguyen Quang Vinh highlighted the advanced level of cooperation between entrepreneurs of both countries. He also pointed to the still untapped potential in this regard. The Vietnamese party also provided up-to-date data regarding the import of Polish products to Vietnam and expressed hope for the possibility of expanding the range of Polish food products available in the Vietnamese market.

Results of the Polish agri-food export to Vietnam

Vietnam is the most important customer of Polish agri-food goods in South-East Asia. In 2023, the agri-food export to Vietnam reached the value of EUR 175.7 million. We sold mainly: turkey meat and offal, fish meat, salmon fillets, flours, meals and granules of meat and offal, edible pork offal.

In the period from January to November 2024, the agri-food export to Vietnam reached the value of nearly EUR 141 million. We sold mainly poultry meat and offal, fish fillets, animal intestines and stomachs as well as beef offal.