US to send largest-ever agricultural trade mission to Vietnam this month

This will be the largest delegation ever sent to Vietnam by the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service in the agency's history, according to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Washington.

The agricultural trade mission will be led by U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Alexander Vaden and include representatives of the agriculture departments of California, Kansas and Wisconsin.

The program will directly connect U.S. exporters with Vietnamese buyers, importers and distributors to expand sales opportunities in one of Asia's most dynamic and rapidly growing markets.

Vaden said Vietnam was already one of the largest export markets for U.S. agricultural products, with considerable room for further growth.

The mission brings together a diverse group of U.S. businesses and agricultural industry leaders to meet prospective buyers in person, develop long-term trade partnerships and benefit U.S. farmers, ranchers and producers as well as consumers overseas, while strengthening diversified global supply chains, he said.

USDA data show that Vietnam was the seventh-largest market for U.S. agricultural and related products in 2025, importing nearly US$5.6 billion worth of goods.

U.S. agricultural exports to Vietnam increased 38 percent in 2025 from the previous year.

According to the USDA, strong demand for U.S. cotton, soybeans and animal feed ingredients is supporting Vietnam's expanding manufacturing and livestock sectors.

Meanwhile, rising incomes and the growth of the retail and food processing industries are creating new opportunities for U.S. fruit, dairy, meat and specialty food products.

The USDA also sees opportunities for U.S. corn growers and ethanol producers arising from Vietnam's expanding biofuel market and ethanol blending requirements.

As part of the program, delegation members will take part in business-to-business meetings, market briefings, field visits and promotional events to introduce U.S. products to Vietnamese consumers and strengthen existing trade relationships.

The agricultural trade mission to Vietnam is part of the USDA's ongoing efforts to expand agricultural trade across Southeast Asia. It follows the department's trade mission to Vietnam in March under the "Trade Reciprocity for U.S. Producers and Manufacturers" initiative.