Vietnam is estimated to reap over 5 billion US dollars from exporting agricultural and forest products this year, up 17 percent against last year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said Monday.

Regarding fruits and vegetables, the country is likely to post export turnovers of 260 million dollars in 2005, up 45 percent against 2004, the ministry said, adding that it still faces export difficulties due to high freight, and poor preserving equipment.

Vietnam earned 196 million dollars from selling fruits and vegetables overseas, including China, Japan, Russia and France, in the first 10 months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 35.7 percent.

Meanwhile, it exported 4.6 million tons of rice worth more than 1.2 billion dollars, 734,000 tons of coffee valued at 588 million dollars, and 437,000 tons of rubber totaling 574 million dollars, posting respective value rises of 49 percent, 10.2 percent, and 25. 3 percent.

Now, Vietnamese farm and forest products are available in more than 100 countries and regions, the ministry said, noting that their two biggest markets are Asia and Europe.

Source: Xinhua