(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam shrimp exports in QI/2013 reached US$424.6 million, 2.6 percent down over QI/2012. Sales to main markets such as Japan, the U.S and EU fell. Exports to South Korea sharply decreased by 27.4 percent.
Countervailing duty petition by the U.S, ethoxyquin testing with MRL 0.01 ppm by South Korea and low demand from international markets, had strong impacts on Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first three months of 2013.
In QI/2013, shrimp exports to China witnessed a positive growth by 18.9 percent and this market has surpassed the EU market to become the third largest consumer of shrimp produced in Vietnam.
Financial crisis in many EU countries have pulled shrimp imports into the block. Vietnam shrimp export to EU in QI/2013 continued to decline (-6.6 percent). Besides, barriers from other markets such as Japan, the U.S. and South Korea also contributed to promoting shrimp exports to China.
In the first three months of 2013, shrimp farming area of seven provinces in Mekong Delta such as Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and Kien Giang totaled 487,496 hectares including 482,756 hectares of black tiger shrimp and 4,731 hectares of whiteleg shrimp.
Compared with the same period of last year, the areas for black tiger shrimp cultivation were down 4,1 percent but the areas dedicated to the production of whiteleg shrimp increased significantly by 52 percent.
Black tiger shrimp cultivating area in Soc Trang province reduced by 84 percent, from 4,435 hectares in the first three months of 2012 to 708 hectares in 2013. Many farmers in the province hesitate about stocking due to risks of disease outbreaks and limited capital.
A new season has started in Mekong Delta since April, however few farmers stocked shrimp with a certain seed. Besides fears of diseases, unfavorable weather, high salinity, water shortage in channels, are hindering shrimp farming in southern provinces.
In Ngoc To commune, Soc Trang province, every year this time, 2,100 hectares were stocked but this year, shrimp production covers only 150 hectares of ponds. In some farms shrimps died after days of stocking. In 2012, over 80 percent of shrimp farming area in the commune was damaged by diseases, which caused heavy losses for local farmers.
Up to date, farmers in Tra Vinh province stocked in 14,200 hectares, in which diseases attacked 810 hectares. Disease has caused shortage in raw shrimp supply for processing factories in the province. In case this trend continues in coming time, shrimp processing and exporting of Tra Vinh would be badly affected.