Seafood exports keeps growing during the first half of 2011

Shrimp reached the highest growth among key export items of Vietnam. During the first six months of 2011, Vietnam exported 101,872 MT of shrimp, worth over US$971 million, up 17 percent in volume and 35.2 percent in value on those of the same period last year. Black tiger shrimp exports reported 56,115 MT, worth US$611.2 million, up 15 percent in volume and 31 percent in value over those of the same period last year. Whiteleg shrimp exports reached 31,014 MT, worth US$248.4 million, up 37.7 percent in volume and 72.5 percent in value on those of the same period last year.

In the first six months of 2011, Vietnam seafood items were exported to 144 countries and territories, mainly to the U.S. with 83,974 MT, worth US$502.3 million, up 40 percent in volume and 48 percent in value over those of the same period last year. During the period, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has stated that the U.S. application of the zeroing methodology for calculating anti-dumping duty against shrimp shipped from Vietnam for the second and third administrative reviews is in violation of the organization’s rules. The U.S. using zeroing pushed up the duties imposed on Vietnam shrimp exporters. The judgement of WTO is in favour of both Vietnam shrimp exporters and the U.S. shrimp importers.

Seafood exports to Japan accounts for 14.5 percent of total Vietnam seafood exports with 51,051 MT, worth US$378 million, up slightly 1.3 percent in value but down 18.2 percent in volume. This drop is partly caused by last natural disasters which tightens Japanese’ s spending on luxuries such as shrimp. Vietnam pangasius exports to  Japan still grow thanks to its affordable price.

In the first half of 2011, Vietnam seafood exports reached 632,107 MT, worth US$2.61 billion, up 5.7 percent in volume and 27.7 percent in value on those of the same period last year. These figures show a good sign to Vietnam seafood industry. Vietnam seafood enterprises, fishermen and farmers are striving to promote domestic seafood industry in spite of lower supplies of raw shrimp and marine fish.