AGRICULTURAL MARKET 2026: OVERCOMING THE "PINCERS" OF STANDARDS – AFFIRMING VIETNAM'S POSITION

nongsanhoangminh
Dec 24, 2025
2 min read

Based on insights from the report "Export 2026: The 'Pincers' That Must Be Overcome" and evolving international market trends, Hoang Minh Agri presents an in-depth analysis of the 2026 agricultural export landscape.

This is more than just a forecast; it is the key for Vietnamese agriculture to not only "jump the hurdles" but also firmly establish a sustainable position on the global map.

At Hoang Minh Agri, we have identified the three major "pincers" that businesses and farmers must overcome together:

1. The "Pincer" from the U.S. Market: Legal Compliance Meets Conservation

The U.S. market—a strategic destination for Vietnam's agri-products—will implement unprecedented technical barriers in 2026:

The MMPA (Marine Mammal Protection Act): Effective January 1, 2026, many export sectors risk suspension if they cannot prove that their harvesting and farming processes do not harm marine mammals. This pressure forces a transition toward responsible fishing and cultivation.
FSMA Rule 204 (High-Speed Traceability): The FDA now requires the ability to provide shipment data within 24 hours of a request during an incident. Consequently, "Agricultural Digitalization" is no longer an option—it is a survival requirement.

2. The "Green Wall" from the EU and Developed Nations

2026 marks the strict enforcement of regulations such as the EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation) and the CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism). Agricultural products entering Europe must possess a "Green Passport"—demonstrating transparency in land origin and carbon footprint. Plantations without clear origins or those encroaching on forest land will no longer have a place in the premium supply chain.

3. China: From "Informal" to "Institutionalized Quality"

No longer a "low-standard" market, China will complete its roadmap for tightening the management of planting area codes and packing facilities by 2026. While the signing of Protocols for deep-processed goods (such as frozen durian and fresh coconut) opens massive opportunities, it also demands extreme discipline in production.

HOANG MINH’S VISION: TURNING PRESSURE INTO MOMENTUM

In the face of these "pincers," Hoang Minh Agri believes that 2026 will act as a "natural filter" to eliminate short-term, low-quality practices and honor true value. To succeed, we must focus on three pillars:

Deep Processing – The "Key" to Growth: Instead of exporting raw materials with high quarantine risks, promoting processed agri-products (freeze-dried, IQF frozen, concentrated juices) will extend shelf life and increase value by 30-50%.
Comprehensive Digitalization: Hoang Minh is pioneering the support for partners to standardize data from the field. Traceability systems must be digitally operated to meet the "24-hour" demand from stringent markets.
Sustainable Agriculture (ESG): We believe that a product grown with integrity, protecting the environment and the ecosystem, will always hold a "priority ticket" into the world’s most demanding markets.

Conclusion

2026 will be a challenging yet highly promising year for those who are well-prepared. Hoang Minh Agri is committed to standing side-by-side with our partners and farmers, from updating technical standards to identifying potential niche markets.

We do not fear the "pincers," for they are the very tools that will forge the strength and prestige of Vietnamese agriculture worldwide.

HOANG MINH AGRI – CONNECTING VALUES, REACHING GLOBAL HEIGHTS