On Friday, March 28, Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro, joined President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and a Brazilian delegation for a state visit to Vietnam. During the trip, President Lula announced that Vietnam has officially opened its market to Brazilian beef. 

This decision came after a series of high-level meetings with Vietnam’s top political leaders: President Luong Cuong, National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man, Communist Party Secretary-General Tô Lâm, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chính. 

We’ve worked tirelessly to expand agricultural trade with Vietnam,” said Minister Fávaro. “President Lula’s presence was pivotal in securing this long-sought reopening of the Vietnamese market to Brazilian beef.”  

Since this administration began, Brazil has unlocked four new markets in Vietnam and boosted trade in Brazilian leather there. By February 2025, Vietnam ranks as Brazil’s fourth-largest agricultural export destination, capturing 3.2% of total exports—behind only China, the European Union, and the United States. 

“After many years of attempts, the Prime Minister announced that Vietnam will finally start purchasing Brazilian beef. This is extraordinary news—important for both Vietnam and Brazil,” said Lula, noting that Brazil had been negotiating this deal for over 8 years. 

Brazil currently exports around 300,000 tons of beef annually to Vietnam, making Brazil the nation's largest trading partner in Latin America. Minister Fávaro also highlighted that Vietnamese consumers prefer cuts that are less commonly consumed in Brazil, which could help increase the competitiveness of Brazilian beef in the domestic market as well. 

“This new access will draw investment from our meatpacking firms, making Vietnam a hub for Southeast Asian exports,” Lula said at a press conference after the visit. 

Another key topic in strengthening Brazil-Vietnam relations was a new strategic partnership in the coffee sector. As the world’s two largest coffee producers, Brazil and Vietnam have agreed to intensify joint research to develop climate-resilient coffee varieties. “Both countries face harvest challenges from climate change,” Lula explained. “We’re committed to technical cooperation to bolster coffee farming resilience.” 

New Bilateral Agreements Signed 

The visit featured a ceremony in Hanoi to sign bilateral agreements, headlined by the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Strategic Partnership. Alongside this document, two agreements and two memorandums of understanding were formalized, broadening cooperation across sectors. 

Signed after a meeting with President Luong Cuong, the Action Plan sets a 2025-2030 roadmap. “It’s a bold framework to advance in multiple fields,” Lula said in a press statement. 

The plan targets defense, economy, trade and investment, agriculture and food security, science and technology, environmental sustainability, energy transition, social and cultural ties, and consular affairs. The Strategic Partnership seeks to enhance political dialogue, economic ties, trade flows, multilateral coordination, and new joint projects. 

These steps reaffirm Brazil and Vietnam’s resolve to strengthen their commercial and diplomatic bonds in the years ahead. 

Press information 
imprensa@agro.gov.br