(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In January 2018, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to China, Hong Kong and ASEAN increased sharply, while exports to the EU continued to decline.
Vietnam’s pangasius exports in January 2018 totaled US$172.5 million, an increase of 43.7% over the same period in 2017. However, according to forecasts of many pangasius export enterprises, from the beginning of the year to the end of QII/2018, pangasius exports may face many difficulties. This is driven by a lack of raw materials, lack of fingerlings and prices of raw materials to peak over VND30,000/kg. In the coming time, Vietnam’s pangasius exports expected to go on the rise in the value thanks to a climb in raw material prices.
The export value to China - Hong Kong continued to strongly increase by 132% over the same period in 2017. This was the largest buyer of Vietnam pangasius in the month with the value of US$41 million, accounting for 23.9% of Vietnam’s total pangasius exports. Export to the U.S were worth by US$26 million, up 31%, exports to ASEAN also totaled US$19.1 million, up 126% over the same period last year.
In January 2018, the export value top 3 leading markets in ASEAN including Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines increased by 163.5%. 71.5% and 114.7% respectively over the same period of 2017. With the significant growth in the export value, ASEAN overtook the EU to become the 3rd largest importer of Vietnam pangasius. This year ASEAN projected to keep the rank.
Three other potential markets were Mexico, Colombia and Saudi Arabia with the remarkable growth of 55.7%; 81.4% and 78.9% respectively. In 2018, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to these markets expected to remain the higher growth from the same period of 2017.