Marine fish exports continue to go up in QIII/2012

In the first half of 2012, marine fish product exports reached US$1 billion, accounting for 35.3 percent of total Vietnam seafood exports and increasing by 25.5 percent compared to the same period of 2011. It is forecasted that these products exports in the third quarter of 2012 will amount to over US$675 million, up 40 percent over the same period of last year.

The supply of marine product

In the middle of the second quarter of 2012, it was on harvest season of snout otter clam and oyster in Quang Ninh province. The production of raw snout otter clam and oyster for processing in the locality rallied thanks to increase in the amount of seed for stocking (2-3 times higher than last year). Thanks to favorable weather conditions, clam farming area in Go Cong Dong (Tien Giang province) is expected to offer a sufficient supply of raw clam for seafood processors.

In the first half of this year, marine product exports grew positively thanks to significant advance in capture production. In the first six months of 2012, ocean tuna landings of Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa provinces reached nearly the same level of the whole 2011 which could ease the pressure on raw material shortage for processing. However, at that time, seafood processors were still in high demand for importing raw material. In the third quarter, it is expected that import volume of marine product will rocket in order to meet orders in the late 2012.

Exports

Tuna: Global tuna catch is limited while tuna consumption demand in the world increases.Vietnam tuna exports are anticipated to hike in the upcoming time due to increase in inland catch of tuna and raw tuna import from other countries. In the third quarter of 2012, tuna exports is expected to grow positively with the export value of US$175 million thanks to high demand from the U.S., EU, Israel, Canada. The export price to these markets may further increase.

Cephalopod: In the third quarter 2012, cephalopod exports is estimated to touch US$165 million. However, there will be a soft decline in cephalopod exports to South Korea and EU which has been witnessed since the second quarter because importers balance the tuna supply in their countries. Cephalopod export value to Japan, ASEAN, China – Hong Kong and the U.S. rose sharply compared to the same period of 2011.

Surimi: This product is in high demand with stable export price since the early this year. In recent two years, the number of processors of these products increased with 30 processing plants nationwide. In the third quarter 2012, the supply of raw material for surimi processing is expected to surge. As a result, surimi exports in coming months may be positive and attracts more enterpprises. Now, some processors plan to expand their production or build further processing facilities to raise processing capacity of surimi.

Bivalve mollusk: Lack of fund and raw material lead to a reduction in the number of exporters of these products compared to the previous year. However, with higher demand in markets, stable export price and higher supply of raw material, in the third quarter of this year, bivalve mollusk exports may reach US$25 million, up 13 percent over the second quarter and up 31.5 percent over that of the same period of 2011.

Crustacean (excluded shrimp): In the past two years, exports of these items reached US$100 – 110 million. The figure is modest but the number of marine product exporters increased in which Pataya, CTE JSCO, Mai Linh Seafood, YUEH CHYANG CANNED FOOD reported the highest export revenue in Vietnam. These exported items are mainly value-added products or mixed products which are in high demand in the world and fetched US$8 – 10 million each month. In the third quarter, it is forecasted that exports of these items will reach US$35 million, up 13 percent over the same period of 2011.

Other marine finfish: Marine finfish is in high demand in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, notably China. This species is diversified in products (mackerel, marlin, king snapper, sole fish, hairtail…) and witnessed a stable growth in exports of the first six months of the year. In the third quarter, marine finfish exports will continue to advance with anticipated value of US$275 million, up 35 percent over the same period of 2011.