Expanding Export Markets in the Era of International Integration

In response to the new requirements of international integration, the implementation of Politburo Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new context has provided an important foundation for Phu Tho Province to renew its approach to external economic development. By considering integration as a key driver of economic growth, the province aims to enhance competitiveness and expand export markets. With a sustainable development orientation, Phu Tho is focusing on maximizing its advantages, supporting enterprises in participating more deeply in global value chains, and gradually bringing local products to international markets.

Frozen mango products are processed and packaged by Tien Ngan Trading Investment Co., Ltd. according to export standards for the South Korean market.

Proactive Integration and Effective Exploitation of International Markets

Politburo Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new context has established important orientations to improve integration efficiency, promote internal strengths, and maximize external resources for national development. The Resolution serves not only as an important political foundation but also as a driving force for localities to innovate their external economic development strategies, considering exports an essential component of economic growth and international integration.

Following the administrative merger, Phu Tho’s development space has expanded significantly, creating favorable conditions for regional connectivity and the synchronized development of industry, agriculture, services, and logistics. This presents an opportunity for the province to restructure its export activities by focusing on competitive sectors, developed markets, and enterprises capable of deeper participation in regional and global supply chains.

According to the province’s development orientation, exports will not be pursued indiscriminately but will concentrate on key sectors such as processing and manufacturing industries, electronic components, garments, wood products, tea, and processed agricultural products. These sectors possess advantages in raw materials, labor resources, production experience, and have gradually established their presence in many international markets.

In recent years, many products from Phu Tho have entered demanding markets such as the European Union (EU), the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Middle Eastern countries. Participation in new-generation free trade agreements, including the EVFTA, CPTPP, UKVFTA, and RCEP, has created significant opportunities for enterprises to access markets with preferential tariffs, thereby enhancing competitiveness and expanding export volumes.

During the first five months of 2026, the province recorded 31 agricultural exporters with a total export volume of nearly 25,000 tons, generating approximately USD 25.48 million in export value. Tea remained the leading export commodity, with nearly 11,000 tons shipped to markets in the Middle East, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Other products such as processed bamboo shoots, pickled vegetables, crab-flavored fish cakes, seasoned beans, oranges, pomelos, star anise, cinnamon, honey, coffee, fresh chili peppers, processed seafood, and instant foods have also reached major international markets.

A notable example is Tien Ngan Trading Investment Co., Ltd. in Hoa Binh Ward, which successfully exported the province’s first shipment of frozen sugarcane to South Korea. Under a contract signed with South Korea’s Tomas Company, the enterprise proactively cooperated with local raw material suppliers from the beginning of the year to ensure stable production. The first shipment consisted of 24 tons of frozen sugarcane, processed and packaged at the company’s facility before being transported to a logistics hub in Hanoi for export to South Korea.

According to Ms. Le Thi Nham, Deputy Director of Tien Ngan Trading Investment Co., Ltd., the successful export of the first shipment represents a positive signal, creating stable consumption opportunities for sugarcane growers while demonstrating the export potential of local agricultural products.

Enhancing Competitiveness Towards Sustainable Exports

To support enterprises in expanding export markets, the province has implemented a wide range of coordinated measures. Trade promotion activities have been modernized and professionalized through a combination of direct and online approaches. Numerous businesses have received support to participate in domestic and international trade fairs and exhibitions, connect with global partners, access e-commerce platforms, and apply digital transformation in production and business operations.

At the same time, the province has attached particular importance to economic diplomacy by strengthening cooperation with Vietnam Trade Offices abroad, industry associations, international trade promotion organizations, and multinational corporations. These efforts aim to help local enterprises identify new partners, expand markets, and integrate more deeply into global supply chains.

Improving product quality has also been identified as a decisive factor. The province is supporting businesses in adopting advanced quality management systems, developing standardized raw material zones, implementing traceability systems, registering trademarks and geographical indications, and obtaining international quality certifications. Enterprises are also encouraged to upgrade technologies, improve energy efficiency, develop green production models, and adopt circular economy practices to meet increasingly stringent requirements from importing markets.

However, export activities continue to face several challenges. In the agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sectors, production remains fragmented and small-scale, while value-chain linkages are still weak. The development of concentrated production areas, planting area codes, and traceability systems remains limited. Furthermore, deep processing and post-harvest preservation capacities have yet to meet market demands, resulting in many products being exported in raw form with relatively low added value.

In addition, the logistics system remains underdeveloped, and transportation costs are high due to the province’s distance from major seaports and international border gates. Global uncertainties, particularly conflicts in the Middle East, have driven up fuel prices and logistics costs, directly affecting export efficiency.

According to Mr. Le Hong Phuong, Deputy Head of the Division for Quality, Processing and Market Development, the agricultural sector is focusing on assisting enterprises in building standardized production zones, expanding planting area codes, improving product quality, and strengthening trade promotion activities to increase official export capacity.

In the coming period, the province will continue maintaining and expanding traditional export markets such as the United States, the EU, Japan, South Korea, China, and the Middle East, while effectively exploring emerging markets in South Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Simultaneously, it will accelerate administrative reforms, improve the business and investment environment, attract high-tech industrial, supporting industry, and deep-processing projects, develop logistics and commercial infrastructure, enhance human resource quality, and support enterprises in technological innovation and brand development.

With comprehensive solutions and strong determination to effectively implement Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW, Phu Tho is steadily strengthening its position in the process of international integration, expanding export markets in a sustainable manner, enhancing the competitiveness of the local economy, and creating a significant growth driver for the new development phase.

Hoang Huong