Dong Thap: Exports reaffirm role as a growth driver

(DTO) Exports continued to be a bright spot in Dong Thap Province’s socio-economic performance during the first months of 2026, providing a key impetus for economic growth. To achieve its export target of approximately 10 billion USD, the province is implementing a range of measures to support businesses.

POSITIVE RESULTS

Despite ongoing challenges, manufacturers and exporters in the province recorded encouraging results during the first months of the year, particularly in export activities.

Thabico Tien Giang Food Industry JSC, based in Binh Ninh Commune, specializes in processing agricultural products for export, with key products including dragon fruit, mango, pineapple, frozen coconut cream, canned coconut water, and other fruit products.

During the first months of 2026, the company's exports increased by around 40% compared with the same period last year. Its major export markets include Europe, the United States, Japan, South Korea, and several other countries. 

The company is also expanding into high-end markets by leveraging the free trade agreements (FTAs) signed by Vietnam.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, Director of Thabico Tien Giang Food Industry JSC, said the company generated approximately VND748 billion in revenue during the first five months of the year and is expected to pay more than VND100 billion in corporate income tax in 2026. The factory currently provides stable employment for around 600 workers.

Meanwhile, Artex Dong Thap JSC, located in My Hiep Commune, posted export turnover of approximately 5 million USD in the first half of 2026, up 20% year-on-year.

Although export markets remain volatile due to logistics costs, exchange rate fluctuations, and changing consumer demand, the company has maintained stable production by securing raw material supplies, improving production processes, and increasing productivity to strengthen its competitiveness and meet customer requirements.

Artex Dong Thap's products are mainly exported to the United States—its largest market—as well as Europe, Australia, Japan, and South Korea. 

These markets require high standards in product quality, social responsibility, environmental protection, and sustainable production.

According to Mr. Nguyen Huu Hieu, Deputy Director of Artex Dong Thap JSC, the company will focus on several key priorities during the second half of the year.

These include expanding markets and customer networks, particularly in the United States, Europe, and other markets with strong demand for environmentally friendly handicrafts.

The company will also develop new products, increase added value through improved designs and greater use of natural materials, invest in expanding production capacity, standardize quality management systems, improve productivity, and shorten delivery times.

In addition, the company plans to accelerate digital transformation by applying technology to production management, order management, and product traceability to better meet international customer requirements, while developing raw material areas and building a satellite production network.

As one of the province's leading food manufacturers, Bich Chi Food JSC, headquartered in Sa Dec Ward, has secured export orders through the end of 2026.

However, during the first months of the year, the company faced significant challenges in both domestic and export food markets, affecting sales revenue as consumer demand weakened.

Mr. Pham Thanh Binh, General Director of Bich Chi Food JSC, said: “During the first five months of the year, the company’s total sales revenue increased by 3%, while exports rose by 2% compared with the same period last year. Despite the challenges, the company aims to achieve our annual targets, ensuring stable revenue as well as jobs and incomes for our employees.”

According to the Dong Thap Department of Industry and Trade, the province's export sector maintained strong momentum during the first half of 2026.

Export turnover was estimated at 4.85 billion USD, up 9.25% year-on-year, reaching 48.5% of the annual target and exceeding the six-month plan. These results reaffirm exports as a key driver of the province’s economic growth and provide a solid foundation for continued expansion in the remaining quarters of the year.

Industrial products including garments, footwear, base metals (notably copper pipes), iron and steel and related products, plastic products, handbags, and textile fibers and yarns continued to account for the largest share of exports, representing more than 60% of the province’s total export value. This product group remained the principal contributor to export growth during the first half of the year, helping offset slower growth in several other export categories.

TOWARD THE 10 BILLION USD TARGET

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, Dong Thap’s exports are expected to maintain positive growth during the second half of 2026, although growth rates may vary across product groups and export markets.

Processed industrial products are expected to remain the main growth engine, while agricultural exports particularly rice and fruit and vegetables could recover strongly if market access testing, and inspection challenges are resolved. However, risks stemming from global market volatility and logistics costs will continue to require close monitoring. In particular, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could further affect logistics costs and global supply chains.

To achieve the province’s 10 billion USD export target for 2026, the Department of Industry and Trade will work closely with relevant departments, local authorities, and the business community to strengthen market monitoring, improve forecasting, and advise on export management policies during the second half of the year.

The department will closely monitor developments in international trade, particularly U.S. tariff policies, trade remedy measures, and technical barriers imposed by the European Union, China, Japan, and South Korea, while promptly advising the provincial People's Committee on appropriate export response scenarios. At the same time, it will enhance market analysis and forecasting for key export industries to help businesses proactively adjust production and export strategies. Trade promotion activities will also be expanded, export markets diversified, and businesses supported in making better use of Vietnam’s free trade agreements (FTAs).

A key priority will be supporting the development of the province’s major export sectors including rice, seafood, fruit and vegetables, and processed industrial products by improving product quality, meeting importing countries’ standards, and promoting sustainable development. The province will also focus on strengthening processing and manufacturing capacity, increasing the added value of export products, and helping businesses comply with technical regulations, green standards, and reduce logistics costs.

In addition, local authorities will provide guidance and support to help exporters meet importing countries’ requirements on food safety, quarantine, product traceability, environmental standards, carbon emissions, social responsibility, and other sustainability criteria, particularly in demanding markets such as the United States, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, and China.

Furthermore, the Department of Industry and Trade will organize supply-demand matching events for logistics services and dialogue conferences between exporters and logistics providers to promptly address business concerns, update transport market information, help build more resilient supply chains, and enhance the competitiveness of the province’s exports.

By NAM PHONG – ANH THU
Translated by X.QUANG