CaliToday (15/12/2025): As the clock ticks down on 2025, Vietnam’s economy is crossing the finish line with a powerful burst of speed, driven by an unprecedented boom in its agricultural sector. While the global economy grapples with uncertainty, Vietnam’s "green gold" rice and coffee has propelled the nation to new heights, setting historical records for export turnover.
According to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), the agricultural sector has become the savior of the 2025 fiscal year, capitalizing on a "perfect storm" of high global demand and tightening supply elsewhere.
The Rice Bowl to the World: Prices Hit Historic Peaks
2025 will be remembered as the year Vietnamese rice cemented its position as a premium global brand.
The Numbers: Preliminary reports indicate that rice export turnover has surpassed the $5 billion mark for the first time in history.
The Driver: Global prices have remained stubbornly high throughout the year. The lingering effects of El Niño on Indian and Thai production, coupled with export restrictions from competitors to secure their own food security, left a vacuum that Vietnam was perfectly positioned to fill.
Quality over Quantity: Crucially, the surge isn't just about volume. Vietnam has successfully pivoted toward high-value fragrant rice (such as the ST24 and ST25 varieties) and low-emission cultivation standards. This has allowed Vietnamese exporters to command prices significantly higher than the traditional benchmark, specifically targeting demanding markets in the EU and the Philippines.
Coffee: The Reign of the Robusta King
If rice is the staple, coffee is the star performer of 2025. Vietnam, the world's undisputed powerhouse of Robusta production, has seen export values skyrocket.
Supply Crunch: A severe supply deficit from Brazil earlier in the year sent global Robusta futures trading on the London exchange to record highs.
The Windfall: Vietnamese farmers and exporters have reaped the benefits. The price per ton of exported coffee has increased by nearly 40% compared to previous years.
Strategic Compliance: 2025 was also the year Vietnam aggressively adapted to the European Union’s Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR). By ensuring supply chain transparency, Vietnamese coffee maintained access to its most lucrative market while competitors struggled to adapt, further boosting value.
The "Year-End Sprint"
The final month of the year is witnessing a logistical frenzy at major ports like Hai Phong and Cat Lai.
The General Department of Customs reports that businesses are accelerating shipments to meet holiday demand in the West and pre-Tet stockpiling in Asian markets. This surge is expected to be the deciding factor in helping Vietnam’s overall GDP growth exceed the National Assembly's target of 7-7.5% for 2025.
The Verdict: While industrial manufacturing faced headwinds earlier in the year, agriculture has proven to be the bedrock of Vietnam's economic resilience. As 2026 approaches, the challenge will shift from achieving record prices to maintaining sustainable growth and climate resilience.