Washington State to strengthen trade with Vietnam

Representatives from Washington State’s apple and cherry industry were among a delegation that has visited Vietnam to enhance trade ties. 

During the recent trade mission to Vietnam, beginning on 8 April, Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) director Derek Sandison signed an agreement with Vietnam’s vice minister of agriculture and rural development Hoang Trung.  

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) marked an agreement between Vietnam and WSDA to work together to strengthen agricultural development and the promotion of agricultural trade. 
 
The trade mission focused on expanding business connections, promoting Washington food agricultural products, and learning more about opportunities in the Vietnamese market.  

The delegation included commerce director Michael Fong, agriculture director Derek Sandison, office of financial management director David Schumacher, state senators Joe Nguyễn and June Robinson, and state representatives My-Linh Thai and Steve Tharinger. 
 
In 2023, Vietnam was Washington State’s fifth largest export market when including agriculture and last year Washington apple exports alone reached US$57m. 
 
Trade mission activities included meetings with Vietnamese leaders, visits to various manufacturing facilities and innovation centres, meetings with cultural and higher education leaders, as well as business networking and product promotion events. Much of the itinerary was focused on strengthening trade and collaboration opportunities in advanced technology sectors including agriculture.