Jan-May 2017: Vietnam seafood exports inched up 7.5%

After a positive growth of 6.7% in 2016, Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first five months of 2017 hit US$1,145 million, up 4% over the same period last year. Shrimp prices increased sharply, the anti-dumping duties on Vietnam shrimp imported into the U.S significantly reduced. Meanwhile, the demand in Japan increased due to the appreciation of the yen which attracted enterprises to shift to this market. Exports to other markets such as the EU and South Korea recovered positively to offset losses in the U.S, China and Australia.

In the first 5 months of 2017, the area of pangasius farming in the Mekong Delta amounted to 3,092 ha, down 6.2%, with the output of 465.9 thousand MT, up 11% year on year. Exports to China, Brazil and Mexico increased sharply which helped Vietnam’s total pangasius exports rose by 2.4% to reach US$665 million

In the first 5 months of 2017, Vietnam’s tuna exports eyed US$216 million, up 20% over a year before. Of that, exports of processed/canned tuna went up 35% and those of frozen tuna increased by 11% year on year. Vietnam’s tuna exports continue to recover thanks to a rise in exports to traditional markets such as the U.S and the EU.

Vietnam’s cephalopod exports totaled US$199 million, up 39% over the same period last year. Vietnam cephalopod was sold to 43 markets, down 7 markets compared to 50 markets in the same period in 2016. Exports to top three biggest importing markets including South Korea, ASEAN and Japan all fell.

Thanks to high demand in Japan, China and South Korea, Vietnam’s seafood exports in the coming time expected to continue the rise.

Compiled by Dieu Thuy