Vietnam seafood exports rose 6.1% in Jan-Apr 2016

Shrimp exports

In Apr 2016, Vietnam shrimp exports hit US$240 million, up 7.6% from Apr 2015. In which, the proportion of black tiger shrimp increased to 33.5% (US$80 million) in Apr 2016 from 32.5% (US$78 million) in March 2016. Meanwhile, that of whiteleg shrimp took up 57.8% (US$139 million), down from 58.8% (US$142 million).

Black tiger shrimp have room to raise its export turnover thanks to rise in its output. Exports of black tiger shrimp from Vietnam to China are restored that help sales to the market rose sharply. China accounted for 12% of Vietnam's total shrimp exports, in which sales of black tiger shrimp made up 31%.

The US was the second largest importer of black tiger shrimp from Vietnam with the proportion of 18%. Vietnam’s black tiger shrimp exports to the US reported good result with the advantage of raw material supply on par with competitors.

The total shrimp exports in Jan-Apr 2016 valued US$859 million, up 7.8% from the same period last year. Of these, exports of black tiger shrimp hit US$294 million, up 12%; and  sales of whiteleg shrimp touched US$493 million, up 7.2%.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), black tiger shrimp farming areas of the Mekong Delta provinces in Jan-Apr 2016 estimated at 520,342 ha, up 1.59% over Jan-Apr 2015; with the production of 53,776 MT, up 4.3%. Whereas, whiteleg shrimp farming area hit 19,800 ha, down 7.69%; with the production of 30,604 MT, down 4.67%.

Pangasius exports

In Apr 2016,Vietnam pangasius exports showed the positive growth of 13%, with the value of US$142 million. Shipments to major markets such as the U.S, China, Brazil and Mexico increased remarkably (up 17%, 94%, 57% and 86%, respectively), while sales to the EU and ASEAN fell by 9% and 12%, respectively.

Pangasius exports in the first 4 months of 2016 totaled US$507.5 million, up 5.2% year on year. In particular, exports to Brazil witnessed the highest climb of 274%, followed by China and the U.S (up 61% and 7%, respectively). Pangasius imports into Brazil from QIV/2014 to QI/2015 were stagnant due to the temporary ban imposed by Brazil's Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA) on Vietnamese pangasius. Then, since Apr 2015, the MPA allowed to grant import license of seafood products from Vietnam after a pause. Therefore, Vietnam pangasius exports to the market posted the sharp increase in the first 3 months of 2016. Pangasius exports to the U.S went up thanks to the increase in the average export price affected by the catfish inspection program of the USDA.

As reported by the MARD, in Jan-Apr 2016, pangasius production in the Mekong Delta provinces estimated at 281,500 MT, down 3% over the same period last year. In which, the figure in Vinh Long was 25,785 MT (-14%), Dong Thap with 90,000 MT (-5%), and An Giang with 65,485 MT (-16 %).

Tuna exports

In Apr 2016, Vietnam tuna exports reported the positive growth of 2.5%. Notably, exports of frozen raw tuna (HS code 03) were up 14%, while processed tuna shipments (HS code 16) downed 11%. Tuna sales to major markets rose sharply: ASEAN up 79%, China up 72%, Mexico increased by 132%, and the EU up 3%. Meanwhile, sales to the U.S fell by 1.5% and Japan fell 20%.

In the first 4 months of 2016, Vietnam tuna exports reached US$141 million, down 3.2% from the same period last year. In which, the processed/canned tuna droped by 21% to US$55.5 million, and exports of frozen tuna hit US$85 million, up 13.7%.

This year, the U.S - the biggest tuna importer of Vietnam, increased imports of frozen tuna HS code 03 (70%). China has emerged as the potential market for this item (95%). The U.S stayed as the largest importer of frozen tuna, canned and other processed tuna (HS code 16), followed by Thailand with canned tuna imports of 95%.

Marine products exports

Other marine seafood exports (except for crabs) achieved the growth of 10.4%, cephalopod and bivalve mollusk exports decreased by 15% and 4%, respectively, in Apr 2016. In Jan-Apr 2016, cephalopod exports totaled US$112 million, down 9%, while bivalve mollusk sales reached US$26.6 million, up 5%. Japan is the largest importing market of Vietnam for squid, while South Korea is the largest importing market for octopus. However, shipments to the two main markets dipped in April (down 16.3% and 0.1%, respectively); sales in Jan-Apr 2016 reduced by 13.5% and 1.6% year on year.

In QII/2016, Vietnam seafood exports expected to hit about US$1.8 billion, up 8% year on year, thanks mainly to the rise of 10% in shrimp exports to US$788 million. Exports of pangasius also expected to hit US$401 million, up 2% year on year.

Written by Le Hang

Compiled by Dieu Thuy