IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON VIETNAM’S AGRICULTURAL SUPPLY CHAIN: CURRENT CHALLENGES AND SUSTAINABLE ADAPTATION ORIENTATIONS

Abstract

Climate change is posing increasingly serious challenges to agriculture and agricultural supply chains in Vietnam,  as evidenced by extreme weather events, droughts, salinity intrusion, and growing risks of logistics disruptions. This study aims to examine the impacts of climate change on the key stages of agricultural supply chains, including production, harvesting and storage, logistics and transportation, processing and distribution, and  end markets . It also analyzes the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of stakeholders involved in these supply chains. The study employs a qualitative approach based on semi-structured in-depth interviews with farmers, cooperatives,  procurement and processing enterprises, logistics providers, and  local authorities in regions highly affected by climate change during the period 2020 - 2025. These primary data are complemented by secondary data collected from relevant reports and previous studies. The findings indicate that extreme climatic conditions - such as storms, droughts, salinity intrusion, and  rising temperatures increases - not only reduce agricultural productivity but also disrupt transportation, increase post-harvest losses and processing costs, and ultimately undermine the stability of agricultural supply chains. Smallholder farmers and small- and medium-sized enterprises are identified as the most vulnerable actors due to limited resources and risk management capacity. Based on these findings, the study proposes several adaptation strategies from a supply chain perspective, including the promotion of climate-smart agriculture, the adoption of technology in production and logistics, improved risk management, and stronger supply chain linkages to enhance the resilience of Vietnam’s agricultural system in the face of climate change.