Shrimp, rice and coffee face mounting sustainability pressure
Shrimp, rice and coffee are three flagship sectors of Vietnamese agriculture, but they are confronting pressure over emissions, resource use and the increasingly strict sustainability requirements of export markets. Processing and cultivation across these chains generate large volumes of by-products that, if not handled effectively, raise costs and add to environmental burden.
A circular economy offers a way forward by adding value to by-products, cutting emissions and using resources more efficiently. It was this shared challenge that brought together research institutions, businesses and development organisations to launch a joint initiative for the shrimp, rice and coffee sectors.
Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF) signs a cross-sector MoU on circular economy
On 9 July 2026 in Ca Mau, Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rikolto International, the Vietnam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance (VSSA), Tay Nguyen University, Leanwares Corporation and the Institute for Circular Economy Development (ICED) to promote a cross-sectoral circular economy across the shrimp, rice and coffee industries in the Mekong Delta and the Central Highlands.
The signing took place within a workshop co-organised by Rikolto International and the Delegation of the European Union in Vietnam, launching the initiative “Promoting cross-sectoral circular economy for the sustainable development of the shrimp, rice and coffee sectors in the Mekong Delta and the Central Highlands, Vietnam.” Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the parties will jointly conduct research, share knowledge, connect resources and develop circular economy models.
VNF said it will draw on its R&D and manufacturing strengths in processing and shrimp by-product valorization, while developing applications for soil improvement, crop nutrition, disease prevention and crop preservation — helping to expand circular economy models across the shrimp industry and neighbouring value chains.
Circular economy opens new value for Vietnam’s shrimp, rice and coffee chains
The initiative is designed to strengthen cooperation among research organisations, businesses, regulators and farming communities, building a circular economy ecosystem that raises the value of agricultural products and supports green growth. By valorizing by-products from the shrimp industry and other chains, the model seeks to lift value across the whole supply chain while easing environmental pressure.
Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF) expressed its thanks to Rikolto International, the Delegation of the European Union in Vietnam and its partners for accompanying the initiative and working to bring circular economy solutions into practice. As sustainability moves from a market expectation to a competitive requirement, cross-sector collaboration of this kind shows how Vietnamese agriculture can turn by-products into value and take a deeper role in global sustainable value chains.