(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's bivalve mollusk exports in Jan-May 2019 reached US $ 36.2 million, down 3% compared to the same period in 2018.
In this period, Vietnam exported bivalve mollusks to 50 markets. The EU, Japan and the US were the three largest importers, accounting for 90% of Vietnam's export value of bivalve mollusks, of which EU accounted for 68%, Japan and the US accounted for 12% and 10% respectively.
Exports to the two main markets of EU and Japan grew positively, yet exports to other markets fell, so exports decreased slightly compared to the same period in 2018.
Exports to EU focuses on three markets: Spain, Portugal and Italy, these markets accounted for 78% of exports to EU market. In which, exports to Spain and Italy jumped by 12% and 25% respectively compared to the same period in 2018, while exports to Portugal dropped by 3.6%.
Exports to Japan, the second largest importer of Vietnam, reached US$ 4.4 million, an increase of 69% compared to the same period of 2018. While exports to China and ASEAN fell sharply by 3 figures, at 807% and 111% respectively.
The demand for bivalve mollusks is currently increasing and the prices of products are going up as well. In order to increase the demand of young consumers, the bivalve mullusk industry needs to enhance product diversification and take advantage of FTAs such as Japan and the EU.