Jan-Jul seafood exports up almost 25%, exceed $3 bln

Vietnam posted its January-July export revenue from aqua-products at US$3.1 billion, rising by 24.8 percent over the same period last year, according to VASEP — the country’s Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers.

A VASEP update report said July’s aqua-product export revenue was about US$500 million.
The report said shipments to large markets have increased in both volume and value. For example, the export value from Canada saw a 66.2 percent rise, while those from China and the US were 60.5 percent and 48.8 percent, respectively.

Shrimp shipments posted the highest growth between January and July, the report said, adding that over 115,000 tons were sent overseas for a combined US$1.1 million plus. The performance represented a year-on-year increase of 15 percent in volume and 35 percent in value.

Of the achievement, tiger shrimp exports rose by 15 percent in volume and 30 percent in value. The respective growths from white-leg prawn are 37 percent and 72 percent.

The Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s largest shrimp and prawn farming region, is currently facing shrimp shortages, according to VASEP. A number of shrimp and prawn processing factories are now operating at half capacity or lower.

This situation results in higher prices.

Now is not the time of peak harvesting from shrimp farms, analysts say, adding that this year’s shrimp farming has been facing many difficulties such as diseases and weather conditions.

Seafood is one of Vietnam’s major export earners.

Tags: Vietnam Seafood, Vietnam seafood exports