Seafood export turnover expected to hit 8.3 billion USD

Shrimp being processed for export (Source: baocongthuong.com.vn)

Statistics released by the association showed that in the first 11 months of the year, the country’s seafood export turnover was estimated at more than 7.6 billion USD, representing an increase of 18 percent year-on-year. In November alone, export turnover rose by 11 percent from the previous month to reach 733 million USD.

Specifically, the shrimp export turnover was 3.5 billion USD in the January-November period, increasing 22 percent from the corresponding period last year. The tra catfish turnover posted a 5 percent year-on-year rise to 1.6 billion USD. The product’s turnover this year is expected to reach 1.8 billion USD, or a 4 percent increase from last year.

The tuna export turnover in the period increased by 19 percent from the same period last year to 541 million USD, and is predicted to earn 600 million USD this year. Exports of squid and octopus in 2016 reached 565 million USD, up 48 percent, and are expected to reach over 600 million USD, up 37 percent over 2016.

The market has seen slow growth in recent months. Seafood exports to the European Union (EU) are forecast to continue reducing this month due to the effects of the EU’s warning about illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has reported that the seafood output in the first 11 months of the year reached over 3 million tonnes, representing a 4 percent year-on-year rise.

The aquaculture output in November was 345,000 tonnes, bringing the total output in 11 months to 3.51 million tonnes, up 8 percent from the same period last year.

The ministry said tuna output in the three central coastal provinces was 17,390 tonnes, including Binh Dinh at 9,700 tonnes; Khanh Hoa at 3,806 tonnes and Phu Yen at 3,976 tonnes. The price of tuna ranges from 96,000 VND (4.2 USD) to 115,000 VND per kilo.

The tra catfish aquaculture area in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region in the first 11 months of the year also rose by 2 percent from last year to 5,822ha, and output of over 1.2 million tonnes. Dong Thap province has the highest output of 436,000 tonnes, up 1.4 percent from the corresponding period last year. It was followed by An Giang with 258,000 tonnes and Can Tho with 171,500 tonnes.

The price of tra fish was stable last month at 26,000-28,000 VMD per kilo.

The shrimp aquaculture area also continued to increase to 562,000ha and output of 237,600 tonnes.

Source: VNA