Positive trade sets up strong 2026 standing

Many free trade agreements with key markets have been effective for exporters

- By Nguyen Thanh

Many free trade agreements with key markets have been effective for exporters

(Photo: Le Toan)

Spurred on by positive export performance this year, the government is expecting a record turnover from shipped goods in 2026, backed by efforts to expand export markets.

The government last week reported to the National Assembly (NA) its forecast that under the best conditions, total import and export turnover in 2025 may reach approximately $882 billion, of which exports are estimated at $454 billion on-year, up 14.1 per cent, and imports at $428 billion, up 17.6 per cent as compared to that in the previous year. The total trade surplus may hit about $26 billion.

In the first 10 months of this year, total import and export turnover is estimated to have reached $ 762.44 billion, an increase of 17.4 per cent on-year. This includes exports of $391 billion, up 16.2 per cent, and imports worth $371.44 billion, up 18.6 per cent, resulting in a trade surplus of as much as $19.56 billion.

Regarding the structure of export commodities, processed industrial products continue to account for an overwhelming proportion, confirming the shift in the export structure towards higher value-added goods.

In the first 10 months of this year, processed industrial products reached $34673 billion, accounting for 88.7 per cent; agricultural and forestry products came in at $32.62 billion, responsible for 8.3 per cent; aquatic products stood at $9.33 billion, holding 2.4 per cent; and fuels and minerals sat at $2.32 billion, accounting for 0.6 per cent.

Regarding import commodities, production materials continue to account for an overwhelming proportion, affirming the import characteristics serving production, processing, and export activities.