Agro-forestry-seafood and steel exports rise sharply

The agro-forestry-seafood sector earned US$1.75 billion from exports in November, raising its total export turnover for the first 11 months of this year to over US$17 billion, a year-on-year increase of 22.5%,

The agro-forestry-seafood sector earned US$1.75 billion from exports in November, raising its total export turnover for the first 11 months of this year to over US$17 billion, a year-on-year increase of 22.5%, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

Of the total, agro exports played a key role in bringing home US$8.8 billion, up 22% compared to the same period last year.

Rice topped the list of agro-forestry products in terms of both export volume and value earning more than 6 million tonnes worth US$2.9 billion in the eleven-month period, with respective increases of 12% and 17.7%.

The Philippines was Vietnam’s largest rice consumer taking 34.7% of the country’s total export volume.

Rubber also recorded increases, gaining 672,000 tonnes in export volume and earning US$1.9 billion in value, up 4.8% and 86%, respectively. China is the largest consumer, accounting for 58.5% of the country’s total export value.

Coffee saw a decrease in both export volume and value. In 2009, Belgium was the leading market for Vietnamese coffee exports. In 2010, Vietnam’s coffee exports to the country was only equal to one third of both export volume and value against the previous year.

The MARD requested businesses to encourage trade promotion activities, expand into new markets, increase the quality of products, and check on food safety and hygiene.

***Meanwhile, Vietnam’s steel exports continued to rise with an export turnover of nearly US$910 million in the first 11 months of the year, showing an increase of 179% in value and 20 times in volume, according to the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA).

So far, steel exports have recorded the highest growth rate, surpassing key industries such as garments and textile and footwear.

The VSA predicts that Vietnam’s steel output will reach 8.7 million tonnes, an increase of 26% compared to 2009. By the end of this year, the volume of Vietnam’s steel exports will rise by 1.3 million tonnes and steel imports will record 1.8 million tonnes, down by 15% against 2009.- VOV