Vietnam is estimated to have exported more than US$3 billion worth of seafood products in the first ten months of 2007, local media reported on October 25.
In October, the country notched up US$291 million from seafood exports, down by 22 per cent on month, state-run VietnamNet and Investment reported.
Between January and September, Vietnam shipped US$2.709 billion worth 661,000 tons of seafood to 135 countries and territories worldwide, up 13.8 per cent on year in terms of volume and 13 per cent in terms of value.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, the EU bloc continued to be the biggest importers of Vietnamese seafood with total imports value of US$660 million, or 24.4 per cent, making on year rise of more than 30 per cent.
The bloc was also the largest consumer of Vietnamese tra catfish and tuna products with import revenues of US$348 million and US$39 million, respectively.
Vasep predicted that seafood export to EU market will remain strong because of the bloc’s decreasing aquatic product output.
Between January and September, the U.S imported US$526.6 million worth seafood products, accounting for 19.4 per cent of Vietnam’s total volume, remaining the second largest importer with, up only 8.8 per cent on year. The U.S. is the biggest consumer of Vietnamese shrimp now.
Vietnam shipped US$525.6 million worth seafood exports to Japan, down 12.2 per cent on year. Japan, which is the third biggest importer, accounted for 19.4 per cent of the developing country’s total exports.
The Vasep said stricter foods safety and hygiene standards imposed by Japan is the key reason for the decrease, and Japanese importers were seeking for other sources like Thailand, India and Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese seafood exporters gained stable sales at 20 per cent monthly to South Korea. In the first nine months, South Korea imported US$180 million seafood from Vietnam, up 27.3 per cent on year and accounting for 6.7 per cent.
Russia emerged as a high potential buyer of Vietnamese seafood since last year. However, exports to the foreign market have been moderate since the beginning of 2007 due to Russia’s changes in seafood import regulations. The exports are expected to recover in the near times as Russian inspectors are satisfied with Vietnam’s aquaculture and seafood processing facilities after three tours so far this year.
Vasep forecast Vietnam’s target at US$3.6 billion from seafood exports for the whole 2007 is reachable. (
www.vasep.com.vn, GSO Oct Edition)
Vietnamese
