Foreign Trade Entrepreneurs – reaching out to the world: A practical perspective on agricultural exports and logistics

DNHN - Recently, the event "Foreign Trade Entrepreneurs – Reaching out to the world", organized by the Foreign Trade Business Association (FBA) in Ho Chi Minh City, brought together over 200 entrepreneurs, business owners.....

Recently, the event "Foreign Trade Entrepreneurs – Reaching out to the world", organized by the Foreign Trade Business Association (FBA) in Ho Chi Minh City, brought together over 200 entrepreneurs, business owners, and experts to share experiences and promote international trade cooperation.

Valuable insights from speakers such as Mr. Võ Tân Thành, Vice Chairman of VCCI, along with key cooperation agreements, have paved the way for new growth opportunities in Vietnam’s agricultural exports and logistics sector, helping Vietnamese businesses expand into international markets.

The discussion session, themed "Agricultural Export & Logistics – Business Pathways", was moderated by Mr. Gia Cát Đoàn, President of the Foreign Trade Business Association (CEO of Gia Cát Consumer). Together with industry experts with over 25 years of experience, they provided in-depth discussions on opportunities, challenges, and strategies for international business.

"King of Pepper" Phan Minh Thông: Conquering global markets and valuable lessons in agricultural exports

During the session, Mr. Phan Minh Thông, Founder and CEO of Phúc Sinh Corp and Honorary President of FBA, shared the company’s journey since its establishment in 2001, overcoming numerous challenges. Today, Phúc Sinh Corp has achieved $320 million in revenue, exporting to 102 countries.

He emphasized the importance of a transparent financial system, audited for 20 years by Big 4 accounting firms, and strong relationships with banks, which allow the company to secure mortgage loans of up to 400 billion VND.

Drawing from 22 years of experience exporting pepper and coffee to the U.S., Phúc Sinh Corp has successfully developed value-added products such as freeze-dried pepper and pepper sauces, now commanding 40% of the pepper sauce market in major cities like London, Paris, and New York. He also discussed challenges related to price volatility risk management and business cost optimization.

Phúc Sinh Corp has adopted customer acquisition strategies through partnerships with VCCI, participation in international trade fairs, and the development of an internal management software system. Mr. Thông also highlighted the difficulties in competing with state-owned and foreign enterprises, stressing the need to optimize costs and processes to enhance competitiveness in the global market.

These valuable experiences have not only helped Phúc Sinh Corp navigate market fluctuations but also provided practical lessons for other agricultural exporters and logistics businesses.

Organic agricultural trends and the growth of heavy-duty logistics in Vietnam

Discussing organic agriculture, Mr. Tạ Quốc Sự, CEO of Hồ Tiêu Việt JSC, highlighted the 40% growth in organic farming and deep processing over the past five years. He noted that Vietnamese agricultural products, particularly coffee, pepper, and durian, are of high quality. He also praised Vietnamese farmers for their intelligence and adaptability to market changes.

A key point raised was Vietnam’s strategic location, close to major markets such as Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Mr. Sự emphasized that innovation in product selection and marketing is more crucial for success than just the type of agricultural product itself.

Meanwhile, Mr. Trần Quang Bửu, CEO of Melody Group, underlined the importance of agriculture in human life, from food to energy, and noted that the increasing global population of 8 billion people will drive continued demand for agricultural products and logistics services.

Discussing heavy-duty logistics, Mr. John Truong, CEO of VN Project Group, highlighted Vietnam’s ability to develop large-scale logistics projects without relying on imported equipment. The sharp increase in container shipping costs, from $2,000–3,000 to $15,000–20,000 per shipment, has placed significant pressure on exporters. This challenge has pushed businesses to seek innovative development paths and cultivate a positive corporate culture to create value for employees and partners.

Practical lessons in agricultural exports: Risk management and financial strategies

Answering a question from a business representative, Mr. Phan Minh Thông, CEO of Phúc Sinh Group, shared insights into raw material sourcing and contract management in agricultural exports. He revealed that when he first started his business, he had to pay 80% of contract value upfront to suppliers.

In 2002, Phúc Sinh Corp faced bankruptcy due to soaring pepper prices (increasing by $500–1,000 per week), while their profit per container was only $500. Mr. Thông explained that the company had to repay debts until 2024 and encountered significant challenges in managing price fluctuation risks. These experiences are documented in his first book on business, where he highlights the importance of sharing failures and lessons with employees.

Speakers also emphasized the role of partnerships with international trade organizations such as DCCI, ITPC, and other trade promotion entities. The international trade community, with over 100,000 members, including a strong network of 500 active members in Japan, presents substantial opportunities for businesses looking to expand their export activities.

Opportunities for global business expansion

At the February 14, 2025 event, themed "Foreign Trade Entrepreneurs – Reaching Out to the World", FBA directly connected with its representatives in multiple countries, including the U.S., Japan, Australia, Canada, Italy, China, and Singapore. This initiative helped businesses identify market trends, seek strategic partners, and expand sustainable export opportunities.

Additionally, FBA introduced its second-term Executive Committee (2025–2030) after seven years of formation and development. It also signed cooperation agreements with key organizations, including: Ho Chi Minh City Investment & Trade Promotion Center (ITPC),  Saigon Business Magazine, Vạn Hạnh Hospital.

The event concluded with a Gala Dinner, celebrating the new year and fostering networking opportunities among foreign trade entrepreneurs, partners, and friends.

The "Foreign Trade Entrepreneurs – Reaching Out to the World" event was not just a platform for networking and knowledge sharing, but also a foundation for Vietnam’s agricultural export and logistics development strategies. The valuable insights from speakers and key cooperation agreements have unlocked new opportunities, empowering businesses to strengthen their position and confidently expand into global markets.

As a key bridge between Vietnamese enterprises and international trade, the Foreign Trade Business Association (FBA) will continue to support the Vietnamese business community in navigating the promising global market.

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