Ten Vietnamese enterprises are promoting organic farm produce and seeking to expand export markets at Biofach 2023, the world’s leading trade fair for organic food.

Vietnamese booth at the fair. Photo: Vietnam Trade Office in Germany

With 10 booths at the fair, Vietnamese businesses introduced coffee, pepper, cashew nuts, cinnamon, organic noodles, coconut rice, garlic, chili sauce, and coconut oil. Most of the products obtained international certifications such as Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS), EU Bio Trade, USDA Organic, Fair for Life, and GLOBALG.A.P.

According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Germany, some 2,500 exhibitors from 100 countries, including Vietnam, participated in this 34th fair.

At the fair, the Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association (VOAA), in collaboration with the Hanoi Coordination Office of the New Rural Development Program and the Vietnamese Embassy in Germany, organized a business matching event for organic farm traders from Vietnam, Germany and other countries.

Many Vietnamese organic products are displayed at the booth. Photo: Vietnam Trade Office in Germany

Do Viet Ha, a representative from the Vietnam Trade Office in Germany said that Germany is the world's second-largest organic market. Sales of organic food in the European country sharply grew over the past decade, from €6.64 billion (US$7.1 billion) in 2011 to almost €15.9 billion ($17 billion) in 2021.

In this country, some 50% of organic products are sold in retail supermarkets such as Edeka, and Aldi, meanwhile, about 32% at supermarkets specializing in organic products, including Organic Grocery Store, Bio Company, Alnatura, Denn's Bio Mark, and 18% through other retail channels.

“Last year, the demand for organic products in Germany in particular and Europe decreased compared to previous years because consumers tightened their spending, but it was only a temporary situation because the trend of consuming organic products is developing strongly in the world,” Ha noted.

Besides, with the advantage of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the opportunities for Vietnamese organic agricultural products in European markets are potential.

Many visitors attend the food fair. Photo: NürnbergMesse

Tran Ngoc Thanh, Vice President of the VOAA, said that Vietnam’s organic farming is developing strongly, especially after three years of implementing the organic agriculture development scheme.

Vietnamese organic products have reached over 180 countries and territories grossing US$335 million per year, of which Europe is the main market. 

Visiting Vietnamese booths at the fair, Le Quang Long, Consulate General of Vietnam in Frankfurt appreciated the dynamism of Vietnamese businesses in improving productivity, quality, and competitiveness of organic products, meeting the increasing demands of the market.

He emphasized that businesses need to seize the opportunities, promptly grasp consumption trends, and follow the safety regulations of the importing country and requirements for international organic consumption certification to improve product quality and expand markets for Vietnamese organic products.