As part of an official visit to the United States, a Vietnamese delegation led by Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy began its mission in Iowa on June 2 to promote agricultural trade and cooperation. The delegation met with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Deputy Secretary Grant Menke to explore new opportunities in agrarian collaboration.
Iowa, known for its rich farming heritage, is the leading corn-producing state in the U.S., with an annual output of approximately 50 million tons. The state also grows various crops, such as wheat, rye, and fruits. Meanwhile, Vietnam has emerged as a major global exporter of agricultural products and plays an increasingly vital role in global food security.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed the current status and potential of agri-trade cooperation, exchanged information and business interests, and identified practical opportunities to advance high-quality trade in agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products.
Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam and the Iowa Department of Agriculture signed the MOU on trade cooperation in agriculture, forestry and fisheries. As part of the visit, the Vietnamese delegation is expected to sign contracts worth over 2 billion USD across the U.S. market. Specifically, with Iowa, five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) totaling around 800 million USD were signed - marking a substantial leap from the previous average of 44 million USD in annual agricultural exports from Iowa to Vietnam. As expected, these agreements will be implemented over the next three years.
Notably, Khai Anh Binh Thuan Company agreed to import 1 million tons of soybean meal from Ag Processing Inc. (AGP), worth approximately $380–390 million. The company will also import an additional 900,000 tons of corn and wheat from United Grain, valued at around $250 million.
Viet Nhat Nutrition Technology Joint Stock Company signed a contract with POET Group to import 100,000 tons of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and 100,000 tons of soybean meal, totaling $60–70 million.
A public-private MoU was also signed between Vietnam’s Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health and the Iowa Pork Producers Association. The agreement aims to strengthen trade relations and foster connections between livestock producers through technical workshops, promotional events, and business exchanges.
Several other Vietnamese companies also signed agreements to import soybeans, meat, fruits, and other agricultural products from Iowa, with the total value reaching several hundred million dollars.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Do Duc Duy emphasized that the agreements represent not only an expansion of agri-trade between Vietnam and Iowa but also lay the groundwork for a deeper, more substantive, and effective partnership in the years to come.