Vietnam an important market for U.S. agricultural products: diplomat

Consul General Mary Tarnowka poses with Vietnamese American celebrity chef Jack Lee and a dish he made for her from U.S. beef at the celebration of U.S. food and wine in Ho Chi Minh City on February 24, 2017

The year 2016 was a successful one for U.S. food and alcoholic beverage exports to Vietnam, Consul General Mary Tarnowka stated at a Friday celebration of U.S. food and wine in Ho Chi Minh City.

The event, held by the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, aimed to promote U.S. products as well as to show the diverse U.S. merchandise available for Vietnamese consumers.

The culinary night, featuring renowned Vietnamese-American celebrity chef Jack Lee, also showcased dishes that are a combination of Vietnamese and American cuisines.

Vietnamese American chef Jack Lee prepares a dish from U.S. beef and Vietnamese vegetables at the celebration of U.S. food and wine in Ho Chi Minh City on February 24, 2017. Photo: Dong Nguyen/Tuoi Tre News

In her remarks at the celebration, General Mary Tarnowka reviewed the success of U.S. exports to Vietnam during the past year, with turnover reaching US$ 40 million for beef and $10 million for wine and beer.

Dairy was among the U.S. export stables to Vietnam in 2016, with revenue topping $120 million.

Following up Tarnowka’s statistics, Gerald H. Smith, Senior Attaché for Agricultural Affairs, told reporters attending the event that Vietnam has become an important market for U.S. agricultural products thanks to its growing food retail sector and increasing demand.

“This market continuously will be important to U.S. food producers because the Vietnamese consumers appreciate high quality food and also safe food, and those two characteristic are the hallmarks of U.S. food and agriculture products,” he said.