Agricultural, forestry and fisheries exports continue to rise

The value of agricultural, forestry and fisheries exports in July is estimated to reach 1.53 billion dollars, bringing total export turnover for the first 7 months this year up to 10.13 billion, an increase of 14.21% over the same period of 2009 according to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Agricultural, forest and fisheries product exports reached 5.35, 2.45, and 1.91 billion US dollars, an 8.06%, 11.63% and 31.41% increase, respectively.

According to the report, major agricultural products exported in the first 7 months of the year included 4 million tons of rice, a turnover of 1.97 billion dollars, down 4.98% over the same period; 754 thousand tons of coffee, reaching $ 1.06 billion, down 4.3% in quantity; 299 thousand tons of rubber, down 10.36% and reaching $ 821 million in value; 65 thousand tons of tea, a turnover of 91 million, up 6.06% over the same period of last year; 100 thousand tons of cashew nuts worth of $ 531 million, an increase of both quantity and turnover; and 87 thousand tons of pepper, worth over $ 274 million, up 5.04% in quantity and 41.57% in value compared with 2009.

Regarding forest products and furniture, July exports were estimated at $ 280 million, bringing the total export turnover to $ 1.91 billion for the first 7 months of the year, a 31.41% increase over the same period last year. Of which, wood and wood products reached $ 1.78 billion, a 32.6% increase. Seagrass and bamboo products are estimated at $ 118 million, an 18.27% increase.

Aquatic commodities, including shrimp (frozen and processed), retained first place, worth 716.9 million (a 35.45% increase in export value). Tuna, especially, has increased to as much as twice the same period last year. Aquatic exploitation and production in the first 7 months also reached high levels. Aquatic exploitation in July is estimated at 213 thousand tons, bringing the total turnover of the first 7 months to 1,389 thousand tons. Some localities have seen high fishing yields including Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An.

The report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development showed the key export markets of Vietnam’s agricultural, forestry and aquatic products included Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong (rice); Germany, the United States of America and Spain (coffee); China, Korea and Taiwan (rubber); Russia, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates (tea); and China, the United States of America and South Korea (forest products and furniture).

However, due to high temperatures, the trading market has slowed down, particularly for several of Vietnam’s major exports, including rice, coffee and rubber, seeing light decreases with the coffee export price at only $ 1,399 / ton, a 6.01% decrease from the same period last year. In fact, Vietnam’s exports still face difficulty due to insufficient financial strength to compete with foreign enterprises.

In order to promote agricultural, forestry and fisheries exports of Vietnam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has continued to perform centralized capital construction investment plans. In particular, focus is placed on capital investment for implementing the national target programs according to specific tasks, and the preparation of capital investment. At the same time the Ministry also provides instructions for such projects as water resources, flood control and projects to prepare for and recover from natural disasters, helping people to step up agricultural, forest and fishery exploitation to keep the export of these products rising. – VCCI

Tags: Vietnam exports, Vietnam exports 2010, Vietnam trade