MAFF to Run a Support Mission for Food Companies Entering Vietnam in July—Capacity of 20, Free to Participate, Briefing Applications Within April
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced that from July 13 to 17, 2026, it will carry out a public-private business mission in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to support the food industry's entry into Vietnam (source:JAcom Agricultural Cooperative News). Participation is free, with a capacity of up to 20. It is a valuable opportunity for domestic food and agriculture-related companies to be matched directly with local governments and companies.
TOC
Overview of the mission
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Period | July 13 (Mon) to 17 (Fri), 2026, 5 days |
| Cities visited | Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi |
| Capacity | Up to 20 |
| Participation fee | Free (travel, lodging, meal costs, etc., at one's own expense) |
| Application period | April 3 to June 26, 2026, 17:00 (Japan time) |
| Briefing session | April 20 (Mon) 11:00–12:00 / Microsoft Teams |
Main activities
The following activities are planned for the mission.
- Visits to local government agencies and related companies
- An exchange of views with Japanese-affiliated food companies
- A business matching event
- An investment-environment briefing
- A visit to the logistics facility of a local Japanese-affiliated company
- Inspection of supermarkets and the like
Why Vietnam now—three reasons food companies are paying attention
1. Rapidly growing as an agricultural produce export market
Vietnam's agriculture, forestry, and fisheries exports reached about 16.69 billion dollars in Q1 2026, with growth continuing year on year. Seafood exports rose 13.3% to 2.62 billion dollars, with exports to the Chinese market showing explosive growth of 58.5%. Japanese companies' interest in procuring high-quality raw materials from Vietnam, with its high agricultural productivity, is strong.
2. An increase in food companies entering Vietnam
The establishment of local production bases by Japanese food companies and the conclusion of OEM contracts with local brands have accelerated in recent years. In supermarkets within Ho Chi Minh City, sections for Japanese and Japanese-affiliated brand foods are expanding, and entry opportunities are widening on both the B2C and B2B sides.
3. Reviewing logistics costs and the "China +1" strategy
In the "China +1" strategy of dispersing the risk of concentrating manufacturing in China, Vietnam is rated as an option with an excellent balance of manufacturing cost, geopolitical risk, and transport efficiency. Attention to Vietnam is also rising as a contractor for agricultural produce processing and food OEM manufacturing.
Original analysis: three benefits gained from this mission
- Building trust early through government-backed business matching—Because the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries hosts it, the local side more readily accepts you as a counterpart with status. Initial contact that would take several months with a solo entry can potentially be achieved in a single mission.
- A low-risk "on-site inspection" possible with free participation—It can be used for information gathering before the formal decision to enter. Gaining public and private knowledge and networks for only the actual costs of travel and lodging is cost-efficient.
- Forming a network with peers in the same industry—Because the 20 participants are all food and agriculture-related companies, opportunities for information exchange and cooperation with peers and related industries arise during the mission period.
Application and inquiries
The application period is April 3 to June 26, 2026, 17:00 (Japan time). The briefing session is planned for April 20 (Mon) 11:00–12:00 on Microsoft Teams. Applications for the briefing are from April 3 to 16. Check the details with the responsible department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or on the official page and apply early.
Source: JAcom Agricultural Cooperative News (April 6, 2026)
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