Australia and Vietnam have strengthened agricultural ties with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Agriculture and Sustainable Development, opening new avenues for cooperation in agricultural policy, sustainable fisheries and forestry management, biosecurity, food safety and trade.
The agreement was formalised during Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam’s visit to Australia this week, reinforcing the growing bilateral relationship and creating a framework for collaboration across key areas of the food and agriculture value chain.
Vietnam is Australia’s eighth-largest market for agriculture, fisheries and forestry commodities. Australian exports of these products to Vietnam were valued at $2.6 billion in 2025, underscoring the importance of the Vietnamese market to Australian producers and exporters.
The new agreement also coincided with progress on Australia’s long-standing efforts to restore market access for Australian kangaroo and deer meat in Vietnam. The Australian Government said it continues to work with industry and Vietnamese authorities to finalise the necessary administrative arrangements, with trade expected to commence as soon as possible in 2026.
The development builds on recent market access gains for Australian agricultural products in Vietnam. Australian blueberries gained access to the Vietnamese market in 2025, with the opportunity estimated to be worth $22 million over five years, while market access for Australian plums and honey was secured in 2024.
Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, said the agreement reflected the strength of Australia’s relationship with Vietnam and the reputation of Australian agricultural, fisheries and forestry products for quality, safety and sustainable production.
“Australia is a trusted and reliable supplier of agricultural, fisheries and forestry products to Vietnam because of our well-earned reputation for providing high quality, safe and sustainably produced goods,” Collins said.
She added that the agreement, alongside progress on long-standing market access requests, would create additional opportunities for Australian farmers and producers to supply Vietnamese consumers.
The MoU provides a broader framework for Australia and Vietnam to exchange knowledge and strengthen cooperation in areas that are increasingly important to resilient food systems, including biosecurity, food safety, sustainable fisheries and forestry management.
Greater collaboration in these areas could support more efficient and sustainable agricultural trade while helping both countries respond to emerging challenges across food production and supply chains.
The Australian Government said it has recorded more than 285 market access achievements for farmers and producers since coming to office, with the expansion of export opportunities expected to support regional employment and strengthen regional economies.
With bilateral agricultural trade continuing to expand, the new MoU is expected to provide a foundation for deeper cooperation between Australia and Vietnam while creating further opportunities for Australian food and agricultural products in the Vietnamese market.
