(vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam General Customs, pangasius exports to Thailand reached US$ 27.98 million, up 40% year on year, making it the largest pangasius importer in ASEAN. Since the beginning of the year, pangasius exports has had positive growth.
In 2013, Thailand was the 2nd largest pangasius importer in ASIAN. With high growth rates for several consecutive months, by the end of July, Thailand became the top pangasius importer among ASEAN nations.
Data of International Trade Centre (ITC) showed that in the first 7 months of this year, Thailand imported 10,070 MT of frozen fillets of pangasius and catfish, most of which (99.8%) was from Vietnam. Vietnam exported 10,047 MT of pangasius to this market. In Thailand this was the most imported product among white meat fish types.
In the first 7 months of this year, Thailand exported 96,275 MT of frozen catfish fillets, up from 1,455 MT year on year to 5 countries including Kuwait, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore and UAE.
Political turmoil in the first 5 months of 2014 probably lowered economic growth but Vietnam pangasius exports to Thailand enjoyed high growth rates. The rise in prices of pangasius exported to Thailand is claimed by businesses. Thailand imported Vietnam pangasius for domestic consumption. Thailand is the largest tilapia producer but this product is mainly used for export. Tilapia exports from Thailand maintained strong growth, especially exports to America.
According to the Thai Frozen Foods Association (TFFA), from January to April 2014, 679 MT of tilapia (code HS0304) was exported by the country. This valued US$ 4.12 million, up 98.73% in volume and 96.19% in value compared with the same period in 2013. The United States accounted for 81.48% of the total Thai tilapia exports. Thailand, as a big tilapia producer, did not have to import much tilapia. Among white meat fish frozen fillet products (code HS0304) imported into Thailand, tilapia was ranked the 2 after Vietnam pangasius.
Thailand is considered as a gateway to penetrate into ASEAN economies. With high demand, this will support to pangasius export to this market.