Vietnam hopes to earn $1.5b from tra fish exports

The Mekong Delta Committee for Producing and Selling Tra Fish predicts that in 2010 the country’s tra fish output will hit 1.5 million tonnes: tra exports – 600,000 tonnes, locally consumed fish – 100,000 tonnes, and export turnover – US$1.5 billion.

Reports from Mekong Delta provinces show a total area of 6,022ha was dedicated to raising tra fish by the end of 2009, accounting for 100.4 percent of the yearly target.

Of this area, 4,722 ha has been harvested with an average productivity of 230 tonnes per ha.

The price of material fish has risen by over VND1,000 per kg.

There are some 12,000 tonnes of tra fish ready to come onto the market.

The agricultural sector says the estimated 630,000 tonnes of tra fish to be harvested in early 2010 will help solve the current shortage of input for processing plants.

The export of tra fish has been greatly facilitated by the Government’s adjustment of the exchange rate between the Vietnamese dong and the US dollar.

Tags: Vietnam Seafood, Vietnam seafood export, Vietnam Tra fish exports